Floating on Thanksgiving

At first it felt so strange.... I've never taken a vacation in the winter time so to swim around in a warm ocean on Turkey day certainly felt a little different, but in a way I could certainly get used to ;-) I just got in from Miami, Florida and I wanted to share with you some of the really fun things that I saw there. So come along and see Miami with me!


South Beach is magnificently beautiful. The sand looks like cream and white pearls and the the ocean water is so clear that you can see your toes even when the water is almost up to your neck.

Even though I don't drink, I had to get a picture with the sign of the coolest-named beach bar in the universe! Haha

Palm trees line ever street & it looks like a Hollywood movie set. This block was right before we entered to Art Deco district. There were so many unique archetectual designs running up and down the streets, it was really awesome.

This was not abnormal to see a Lamborghini parked on the side of the street. My sister and I counted about 10 Maserati's, 5 Lambo's, 2 Aston Martin's, too many Porsches, the car scene was certainly most intriguing. But none of those were my favorite....

The Pink Cadillac won my heart!


My dear friend Josh that I haven't seen in too many years met up with me and we had such a fun time. He had me laughing until 3am! Josh is a phenomenal body builder and recently created his own supplement that is taking off. He personally trains clients and they've all been really pleased with his product, RHINO. Give it a like on facebook and tell him that "Tooie" sent ya =)

This is my favorite picture of the whole trip, watching the sun rise on the beach. I sat out there for about an hour just thinking & listening. I love South Beach. Everything was amazing, the people, the environment. The plane ride back certainly was a tough one, but there really is no place like home. I hope you all had a warm and loving Turkey Day and whether you chose to eat turkey or not, I hope that all of your bellies were satisfied! Thank you for checking out my little jet-set get away of pictures and now for your viewing pleasure…..



Waves of love,
Nikki

How to be happy when everything else isn't working.

In interviews, Jason Segel said that he cried when he first met Kermit while filming the upcoming Muppets movie. When they asked him why, he responded with "He was so beautiful!" He then went on to describe the magical spell puppets seem to cast on children, as they did on him as a child. "That's why I'm doing this movie." Love him.


Common emotions are often times overlooked on how perplexing they can be to achieve. Doctors swear on synthetic medicine to cure all illness but many people, like myself, prefer to seek out all other alternatives before taking any kind of pill. Drugs scare the bo-jangles out of me!! Even my headache medicine is homeopathic haha.

But one of the most common illnesses that so many people deal with on a daily basis is depression. Some have it worse than others but I feel like everyone goes through some form of depression at some point in their lives. For a lot of people it's a constant battle. I USED TO BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. For a long time, I would wake up just wanting to go back to sleep. I would cry for no reason, be in a constant fog, but the most troubling thing for me was understanding why I felt this way when I had no reason to be so down. I have a family that loves me, wonderful friends, two legs to walk, two eyes to see, two ears... completely healthy! It would make me feel even more depressed when I would say to myself, "Nikki -- quit whining and get happy!" because I didn't understand why my brain wasn't on track with my heart.

A few years back I had a very traumatic episode that made me change my life completely. I had to deal with my problems head on because I knew that would be the only way I would successfully be able to get to the other side of my unhappiness. While I won't go into this whole big debacle (best word ever!), I will tell you one of my not-so-secret tricks into getting over depression naturally. If you would like me to make a post about how I went from the ultimate low to the most amazingly (natural!) high, just leave me a comment.

SATISFYING THE DESIRES OF YOUR INNER CHILD.

I'm a huge fan of author Louise Hay. In one of her books, she goes through a whole chapter dedicated to making your inner child happy. Until you've tried this, you have no idea how satisfying it truly is! I first read this chapter a couple years and I didn't fully understand why it wasn't quite clicking for me. Satisfying my inner child... got it, I thought. I tried everything I liked when I was a child...eating cotton candy (which I quickly learned makes me tummy hurt now) and wearing purple eyeshadow (this was the only eyeshadow I owned from 5th grade into 8th!). But I was still depressed. So I just figured it didn't work and kept on truckin' on. But what I didn't realize is that I wasn't satisfying my inner child's wants at all, I was just appeasing the simple pleasures like a child which wasn't any sort of progression at all. I needed to satisfy what I DIDN'T get as a kid but always WANTED! I realized this about a month ago....when I went to see Hanson in concert.



This is one non-depressed Nikki!

During their first song, this overwhelming sense of happiness filled my entire body. And then, as embarrassing as it is to admit, I started developing tears in my eyes! I looked over to my friend Lisa because I didn't understand why this was happening. These weren't sad tears, but happy tears! That's when it all clicked to me, all the things that I had read about making my inner kid happy. And I realized that it wasn't 23 year old Nikki crying these happy drops of love, it was 12 year old Nikki saying, "I'm finally seeing my all time favorite band!" And that's when it finally clicked to me that satisfying the dreams of when I was a kid can be just as rewarding when you do it when your an adult!

So go out and buy that toy, pet, cd, whatever it is that you always wanted but never got. You'll be amazed at just how happy it will make you feel inside. And if you want a good read, Louise Hay's Book, "You Can Heal Your Life" will teach you exactly how, with the power of the mind, you can take any situation and turn it into a positive.

Love your big kid,
Nikki

We're going streaking! And What I'm going to be for Halloween...

**Go streaking this month for a good cause! I'll be doing it, and you should too - click here for all the info ;-)**

Halloween has always been one of my most favorite holidays. It's a chance to be whatever you want to be and the crazier, the better. I have been something bloody since the first grade. If I had a scanner, I would do a fun slide show of all the past little Nikki Halloween costumes. Here is the best I could do taking a picture, of a picture, with my camera:


I was a bloody waitress in a classroom filled with gypsies, ninjas, and happy costumes. I guess you can say my family had always beared a strong ethical resembalence to that of the Addam's Family.

So to keep up with tradition, I decided to be one of my all time favorite movie characters of all time. I wanted to be something that I've never seen anyone do before. My sister had brought up the idea of doing a couples costume since she and I always end up being together on Halloween. So this year we're going with our favorite movie, Beetlejuice. She's going to be Miss Argentina (For those of you who don't remember, Miss Argentina is the receptionist who had a "little accident") and I am going to be.....


No, not Barbara... that's too easy. I'm going as the infamous shrunken head guy! All of the characters in this waiting room scene are great, but he was always my favorite ;-) I'll make sure to post up the finished look for both costumes and if you are interested, I'll even make a Miss Argentina makeup tutorial! I would try a shrunken head tutorial but I don't think I have the voodoo craftsmanship.... yet! ;-)


♥ We have been spoiled with the best of weather for the past week and starting today, it was cloudy and cold. Im not complaining though because this is the kind of weather that the upper East Coast is supposed to have in October. Have any of you started on your Halloween Costumes yet? I came across this awesome site that gives you the very best of costume ideas, home made ones!

♥ I have so much respect for the creator of this fabulous Mae West blog. He or she updates it everyday with information pertaining to the intruiging goddess that we can't seem to learn enough about. I might just be speaking for myself here (I've read 4 books about Mae, two of which she wrote herself!), but I can't seem to get enough. Thank you for keeping your blog afloat!!

♥ I'm all for home made anything, especially if it's a bath or shower product of some sort. I bought a solid lotion bar from LUSH and fell in love with it. I wish they had made more scents (the only one they have is a light vanilla which is nice), so I looked into creating one of my own. Here is a step by step way to make your very own solid lotion bar.

♥ Servers and bartenders can give you the most accurate dating advice. Seek one out if you are in a dating slump and they will tell you exactly why. Lauren Romano hits the nail right on the head, giving you dating tips I learned from being a waitress.

Time Tested Beauty Tips

"Time tested beauty tips" is a poem written by Sam Levenson. I think out of every piece of beauty advice, every Cosmo magazine, and every youtube video - you will learn all you need to know from this poem.

So here is the "Time Tested Beauty Tips" that everyone should learn:

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,  reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the  figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

---Sam Levenson 

A letter to my younger self

Each year, I adopt more and more radical self love into my life. Every single one of us changes as the years progress and I like to try to make all of these changes positive ones. Just think about how much you've evolved in the last 5 years! If you could write a letter to the girl or boy you were back in teenage years, what would you say? Think about all the things you would be able to teach yourself now! So here it goes....




Dear Little Nikki,

Stop trying to impress others. No one really cares. You have to impress yourself. Do something that would shock yourself everyday and keep doing those things.

Don't cry over that guy and don't chase after him. Chasing is for girls who don't think that they're good enough.

You are fabulous and have such a special gift in you. Never, ever give up on your dreams and the more people knock you down, the more you gotta push harder because so many wonderful things lie ahead.

Take some Spanish in high school, not German. Although Deutch is a kick-ass language, Spanish will benefit you in every field - especially the restaurant industry.

Not everyone is going to love you but the people that do are what make life worth living.

Don't ever think you're not good enough. Confidence is the best looking thing about you.

Don't give into peer pressure. If you feel like friends are pressuring you to do something you don't feel comfortable with, then they're not good friends. You'll make better ones along the way anyway.

Keep having dance parties until there is no other option but being in a wheelchair.

Don't spend so much money on cheap shoes. They end up hurting your feet in the long run.

Don't change your personality so you can hang out with people just to "fit in". If they don't like the fun, crazy, honest person that you are then they can piss off!

You're skinny.

Don't try to be the best. Just like how there is always someone taller, prettier, and smarter than you - there is also someone shorter, uglier, and dumber than you.

You're friends will change and that's ok because change isn't as scary as you think it is. Sometimes they will change for the better, sometimes the worst. But everyone's going to have to find their own way and you can't change that. Just remember that family is more important than you will ever realize.

Keep Disney music on your iPod always. It will faire well in many a road trip or bad day at work.


Love,
Big Nikki

Time for myself in NYC...

Most of the greatest things I've ever done, I have done on my own. I willingly do what I want to do by myself because there is a certain comfort to knowing that I don't need to be anywhere at any time or have to entertain anyone but myself. I took a day trip up to NYC because I wanted to be a tourist and visit the places that I've never been to for whatever reason - whether I was with friends who didn't want to go to museums, I was doing makeup all day , etc. My goal was to visit the MoMA Museum and stroll around central park and I accomplished both and then some.

I feel like New York's structural design is like an art gallery in itself. These building are meticulously carved and just so amazing.


MoMA is a really unique gallery. It's filled with some highly impressionable artists and so many various types of work such as paintings, photography, and sculptures. This piece below was created by Arman in 1969 and he called it "I Still Use Brushes". In this painting/sculpture, there are easily over 200 or so brushes embedded in plastic in an acrylic box. One day I will have that in my house, only I'll create it with shadow brushes, big ol' fluffy blush brushes, and the teeny-tiny liner brushes ;-)



I always found beauty in disarray. If there is something that most people say, "What the HECK is that?" You can bet that I will find it the coolest thing ever and purchase something similar. This was my favorite piece of art because it displayed that beautiful balance of chaos and color. The artist, Robert Rauschenberg, was an advocate of using non-traditional materials and objects to emphasize his pieces. This one is simply titled "Bed".



After I had a compelling conversation about men with an old woman (we happened to have the same taste when we realized that we were both checking out the Jason Lewis lookalike in the sculpture garden ;-) ), I went on over to Central Park just to collect my thoughts, sketch out whatever inspired me, and relax.

The park is magnificent. I wanted to get lost in there but the clouds looked like they were rolling in so I stayed close to the perimeter.


It was hot. I wanted to swim with him.



To polish off a wonderful day, I met up with three beautiful friends that I hadn't seen in the longest time. It was so great seeing all of them. The rest of the night was filled with whole lot of laughing and reminiscing. I was laughing so hard at one point that I started to cry! I felt so happy and filled with love when the day was finally coming to an end. For me, the city I love and new faces (or faces that I haven't seen in so long that they look brand new!) is my unhappiness antidote. What's yours?


Official creator of the "Phillet Cheesesteak" & Me haha


Love and happy adventures,
Nikki

How to get any tattoo you want for under $35!

It might not be permanent but hey, Kat Von D can take a break for a little while….


I used a liquid liner with a fine tip (Wet N' Wild H2o liner is a great one) to sketch out the design.


I then filled it in using colors from the Wolfe FX Neon Palette. I love this palette because all the colors need in order to be activated is the smallest drop of water. I'm convinced that this set will probably last me until I'm well into my 80's ;-)


"Peeg" is my 4 legged daughter's nickname. Who wouldn't get a fake tattoo and put their pet's name in it?

So come on over to Nikki's Tattoo Parlor on the next rainy and I'll give you a whole sleeve for one millionth of the price you would pay at a regular tattoo shop! And if you get bored with it 5 minutes after I do it, no need for fancy-schmancy lazer treatment. Scrub a dub with a washcloth and you're good!

Love your non- needle obstrusive,
Nikki

Today is the day where nothing will stand in your way.

Sometimes we have those days where it feels so hard to get out bed and socialize with the real world. These days can go on for weeks, months, even years for some people. If you're feeling this way please know that it won't last forever. Being in a rut doesn't have to be a chronic disease. Each day is a new day - a day to make bright decisions, love with everything you've got, and see beauty in something that you may not have noticed before.

If you had an absolutely atrocious weekend, guess what? It's over now! And you're going to have the most marvelous Monday ever. Even if all you are doing is going to your job or school. You can still bring out the best in others and yourself! If you are at school, work, basically anywhere you don't want to be on Monday -- challenge yourself to find the beauty in it. You'll be surprised what you find. Talk to someone new, drive or walk somewhere you've always had the urge to go but never wanted to do alone. You're never alone, so go do your thang!

Which leads me to this website I came across: The Cool Hunter - It's Time To Do Your Own Thing , Such an inspiring article with some really cool pictures to jump start your inner and mental creativitiy

A few more fan-tab-ulous sites for your Maybach Monday (Maybach's are amazing, and so will be your Monday! haha)

♥ People that are a whole lot more creative then me making common street signs funny. Use ROSSWAY

♥ If you still can't get rid of that dark cloud over your head today, let Alexandra Franzen coach you on how to survive when everything sucks.

♥ I'm a girl. I dream about my wedding. We all do. When I have these dreams, they look a lot like this beachy bohemian wedding. I already told my sister she'd be main tambourine.

♥ CRAFTSTER is such an inspiring website that teaches you how to make almost anything -- from clothes to stuffed animals, wreaths, you name it!

♥ 88 Important Truths About Life . This couldn't be more factual.



I like to live by the motto: Peace, Love, Pekingese!

oxox,
Nikki E.

How to have a Sunday Funday!

Happy Funday errbody! Over here, the weather is pretty gloomy, rainy, and just plain ugly out. I had a full day off today and my plans were to stay inside and make my own fun since I couldn't do it outside. So here's how to make a rainy day, the best day of the week!

1) What's shakin'? Bakin'!! Nothin' says "I'm having a good time on a rainy day!" like making some Funfetti cupcakes. I'm pretty sure Funfetti batter was made by the big guy upstairs with his bare hands. It went land, man, funfetti batter. The bible says some confusing words but if you read close enough, that's in there.



2) A used to work with a wonderful guy named Jon who was a missionary. He would tell me stories about what he and his friends would do after church on Sunday and he always used to always start every story by saying, " After church, while I'm all hopped up on the Christ..." Haha, I loved it! So I adopted that saying too when I'm talking about how I feel after I go to church. Church on a rainy day is great because it makes you feel happy and enlightened. It is great any day but days like this especially when everyone is feeling a little blue and can use some lifting up =)

3) Go see a 3D movie!


And save the glasses so you can pop out the lenses and make some good ol' fashioned geek glasses.

4) Dance with your mom, dad, dog, or by yourself! Find a good jam that will pump you up and get the blood going. I combined baking and dancing all in one. Here's a few fun and highly dance-able songs to get you started.




What did you do today despite the crap going on outside? Tomorrow I'm touring the Makeup Designory School in NYC and I'm a little nervous, so I'm trying to stay busy today so I don't over think it like I do with everything else haha. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday Funday!

Love,
Nikki & my hopped-up-on-the-sprinkles mama!

5 Gift Ideas for Your Glamorous Mom

Mothers' Day is this Sunday and it's certainly tough finding something for a mom who seems to have it all. Here are a few gift suggestion, in no particular order, that are suitable for the glam mom who loves makeup and beauty.

1) Stila Color Wheel Eyeshadow Palette

What an awesome palette! It comes with 37 eye shadow shades, two double ended shadow brushes and a 16 page look-book with step by step instructions. The eyeshadows are even numbered to make the application that much easier! Mom will be doing her makeup like a pro in no time with this little baby. I got this for my mom for Christmas and she's tried so many different looks because of it and has really gotten pretty good applying!

2) Bliss Spa gift certificate

All mama's love a little pampering :) Bliss Spa is pricey, but their oxygen facial is coveted by celebrities all across the nation. Perfect for a mom that is constantly on the go. Bliss products are also carried at Bath and Body works.

3) Hempz Treats Lotions

A little goes a long way with these lotions. Their scents are simply scrumptious - Cranberry Vanilla, Orange Dream Cupcake, Strawberry Cheesecake (my personal favorite because it smells EXACTLY like my favorite drink from my childhood…Nestle's Strawberry Milk!). They come in large sizes and purse-perfect sizes too. If mom likes the smells of warm cookies baking in the oven, then she's going to go crazy for these. Check out their website for all of the flavors.


4) St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse

Beach season is right around the corner and mom's legs (and probably yours too!) are looking like they've soaked up more moonlight than sunlight. St. Tropez has wonderful bronzing products that are extremely easy to use. The self tanning mousse is great because mom will be able to see where exactly she puts the tanner, making it that much easier to apply.

5) DONATE!

This is my favorite gift so far! No mom wants their son or daughter to spend a lot of money on them. Taking the money that you would spend on a meaningless gift and using it to feed animals in a shelter or aid recent tornado victims will mean more to her than any Yankee Candle or personalized jewelry box ever would. You can also put the donation in her name so that they will send her a personalized letter in the mail.

You "Like" me! You Really "Like" me!

As you can tell, I haven't been posting as much as I have been for the past week. I'm in the process of bringing you a much more different, informative site that will have tips and other fun things on there for you. For now, I'm updating my facebook with constant information. Please "like" me to keep up and I hope you are having a beautiful weekend :)

The "like"able,
Nikki

Waking up to Makeup @ Nordstrom

*First off, I'd like to start by saying I am not a reporter. As fun as it would be, I just don't have that Diane Sawyer-like quality. I like to get in and get out at big events, getting as much info as I can in a small ammount of time. Maybe it is my anxiety, who knows, but I'm just a lil-ol' beauty blogger trying to bring up to date beauty news to you beautiful internet folk =) I don't have one of those fancy camera that take big, HD images. I have my little red Nikon Coolpix that seems to work for me just fine! Having said that, here is my documentation on Nordstrom's Beauty Bash Event for their grand opening this past Friday, April 8th.*


There were easily over 3,000 people in attendance which was a shock to me seeing as how the event started at 8am! The event was catered with doughnuts, coffee, and big-ol jugs of milk in order to wake the public up. And if food didn't work, a DJ was live at the event spinning the current top 40 dance tracks. Everyone was wide awake, some people even dancing! The female emcee of the day was doing a wonderful job pumping up the crowd.

It was great to see all of the enthusiastic workers gathering customers and placing them at one of the several pop up makeup stations. Such brands in attendance were La Mer, Laura Mercier (who btw makes the best foundations for full coverage I've ever used!), MAC, Marc Jacobs, and Nars to name a few. I interviewed fellow MUA Shanell Green from Nars in order to find out what her thoughts and feelings were about the upcoming trends and if she had any makeup tips she was willing to dish out. You can view the interview at my Wilmington Examiner site by clicking here.



The morning went by so fast and I got to meet so many wonderful people! Delaware Fashion Blogger, Leslie Eugene was in attendance as well so stay posted for what she thought about the event. I got sample galore and I can't wait to see which seem to work the best. I picked up Philosophy's "Help Me" retinol nighttime cream because of all the amazing things I've heard about it. I have a few small dark spots on my face that I can thank the Jersey Shore and my immature ignorance to SPF when I was younger for. I've read so many reviews on "Help Me" that I just had to give it a go! Not only does it fade the the spots, but it also fills in fine lines and softens skin all around. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this "Fountain of Youth" promised product =)

Have a wonderful weekend and next stop on the Nikki makeup train - the 2011 IMATS in New York this Sunday. Super excited!!

oxox,
Nikki

P.s. Does anyone have $10,000 lying around so I can buy these boots? Absolutely fabulous!

I have something so exciting to share with you!

I am so excited because Nordstrom invited me to their Beauty Bash event for the grand opening of their newest store at the Christiana Mall in Newark, Delaware this Friday, April 8th!

I can't wait to see everyone there!

And what made me feel even more honored is that they asked me to join them inside the store before the big grand opening where they first greet the new customers! I feel like I am on cloud 9!!


If you see me, please come up and say hi. There is going to be so much happening that day, it will be crazy. There are going to be some amazingly great deals and free goodies and for the first 1000 attendees, each person gets this great beauty bash tote stashed with lots of wonderful samples and products! Also, you’ll receive a deluxe train case with your purchase
of $150 or more from the department as an exclusive grand opening gift to you!



Here are some of the events and special gift with purchases that will be going on straight from the Nordstom PR Department:

- Philosophy Oxygen Pee
Great Skin is in! Please join our skincare team of experts for a complimentary Oxygen Peel and skincare consultation. Receive a 5-piece gift with any $50 or more purchase of Philosophy.

- Enhance Your Style with Estée Lauder (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m)
Join Estée Lauder and InStyleR magazine to celebrate the grand opening of our newest store and enhance your style for spring. Receive a complimentary style consultation with an InStyle representative, plus take home a copy of InStyle’s book, ‘Instant Style,’ when you make a qualifying purchase of Estée Lauder products.

- Clarins Beauty Party (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m)
Join us for our Clarins Beauty Party—you’ll meet our makeup and skincare experts and learn about the latest trends in signature Clarins beauty and skincare products. You’ll receive two deluxe-size samples with your two-item Clarins skincare purchase.

- Shiseido Facial Massage (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m)
Experience our signature Shiseido facial massage. After your relaxing treatment, receive a makeup lesson using our amazing spring color collection created by master makeup artist Dick Page. Plus, receive a makeup pouch filled with Shiseido samples
with your two-item skincare purchase.

- Tria Beauty ‘At Home Laser Hair Removal’ Event (11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m)
Join us and experience Tria Beauty At Home Laser Hair Removal. Tria Beauty experts will be available to demonstrate and educate customers on how to acheive hair-free skin in just six months. Plus, with your Tria beauty purchase, receive a
full-size oil-free SPF 32 sunscreen.

- Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare ‘Peel the Difference’ Event
Join us for a one-to-one consultation and experience better skin tone, smoother texture, a softening of fine lines and wrinkles, and more. In addition, receive an Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel with your $100 purchase.

- Peter Thomas Roth ‘Undo the Damage’ Event
Get skincare tips and tricks from Peter Thomas Roth expert during a complimentary consultation and mini facial. In addition, receive a deluxe gift with your $75 purchase from the line.

- Elemis ‘Teaser’ Event
Enjoy a mini Anti-Aging Facial and Exotic Hand & Arm massage during a one-to-one consultation with an Elemis Skin Expert. Plus, with your $150 purchase from the line, receive three deluxe Elemis skincare samples.

- Meet Dior National Makeup Artist Rodderick Gregg (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m)
Meet Dior celebrity makeup artist Rodderick Gregg. Rodderick and his team will show the latest tricks and trends for the spring season. You’ll take home a complimentary Skincare Starter Set with your Dior purchase of $125 or more. Please reserve your
appointment with a Dior Beauty Advisor.

- Jack Black Neck, Shoulder and Hand Massages and Mini Facials for Him (12 – 8:00 p.m)
Relax and experience Jack Black Skincare and Grooming products during professional treatments. Experts will be available to customize a skincare and grooming routine that’s best for you. With your qualifying Jack Black purchase, receive a special gift.

- Clinique Gift with Purchase
With your purchase of $25 or more from Clinique you’ll receive four smile-brightening lip shades, instant pick-me-up eye cream and more! Turn your smile at least one shade brighter with a lip palette filled with four shades of Clinique Brighter Smile Lip Colour—only in this gift. For healthier-looking skin, there’s radiance-enhancing Clarifying Lotion, fresh-face cleanser and de-puffing eye cream. Add lash-boosting mascara and a cheery cosmetics bag and you’re happily glowing.

- Lancôme Exclusive Gift with Purchase
Choose five of your favorite eleven Lancôme items as our gift with your purchase of $32.50 or more from the line. Plus, receive a four-piece makeup brush set with your purchase of $75 or more from the line.

- M•A•C ‘Quite Cute’ Event
Receive pastel shades for Eye Quads, Lipstick, Plushglass, and Nail Lacquer. And by popular demand, we’re completely revamping three favourite Lip Pencil shades from last season that will join in on the fun and frolic. You’ll love the Mineralize Blush with the sweet heart baked right into it. If it shines, shimmers and pops it’s completely, contagiously cute!

- Nars ‘Best of Bronzers’ Event
Discover the makeup essential for summer as our beauty experts custom match the perfect shade of bronze to your skin tone. Plus, receive a mini lipgloss trio with your purchase of $85 or more from the line.

- Anastasia Brow Event
Receive a personal eyebrow consultation to achieve the ideal eyebrow that complements your hair, eyes and overall complexion. An Anastasia-trained Brow Expert will shape, create and educate you on what eyebrow shape flatters your facial structure. Plus, with your $85 Anastasia purchase, you’ll receive a complimentary service bounce-back card to use toward a brow service on your next visit.

- La Mer ‘Skin Essentials’
Enjoy a luxurious treatment during a personalized consultation with our La Mer expert and discover why devotees say the La Mer Miracle Broth is a secret well-worth knowing. Space is limited; please inquire for further details and reserve your appointment today.

- Mario Badescu ‘Mini Facial’
Come and have some one-to-one time with a Mario Badescu skin specialist. Whether you need to maintain your complexion or solve a skincare quandary, our experts will create a regimen to fit your individual skin type and lifestyle. In addition, with your $50 purchase receive three deluxe samples of Mario Badescu skincare in a signature cosmetics bag along with a mirror.

- Clarisonic ‘Sonic Cleansing and Infusion’ Event
Stop by our Clarisonic Station for a quick cleanse or lift prior to your skin or makeup consultations. Learn about these innovative tools and the sonic technology that make both the Clarisonic Skin Care Brushes and the Clarisonic Opal so effective. Plus, receive a travel case and replacement brush head with your Clarisonic purchase of $149 or more.

- Prevage ‘Skin Scanner’ Event

Meet the Prevage experts and discover the latest in diagnostic technology, the Skin Scanner. This powerful tool will analyze your skin and reveal signs of premature aging that the naked eye can’t see, such as sun damage, dehydration and enlarged
pores. Plus, with your $98 purchase from the line, receive a special tote with Prevage deluxe sample.


The event is from 8am-10am, this Friday. And that list isn't even the full list of what will be going on that day so be prepared. See you then!!

Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips - 10 days later!

And the results of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish strips....

Awesome! Just a little bit of wear at the edges, but all in all I am super pleased with these. I wore them through numerous showers, work, dancing, and even wore them at the wedding I went to this past weekend! I think I might do these as the next give away because I haven't done one in so so long and I think every gal should really give these a try =) If you were to try them, what color would you choose?

I LOVE MY SIZE 6 JEANS!

I really don't understand why so many girls take diet pills to be thin. Being crazy thin is not sexy! What looks better to you:
OR

Why Lindsay decided to lose so much weight, I'll never know. She looked so wonderful at the start of her fame. Working out is healthy and good for your body and I encourage taking care of yourself. But fighting what god has blessed you with in order to fit what you see in magazines is not the right attitude. I love to run and be active, so I don't look at myself as unhealthy at all. I have a butt, I've always had a butt, and I wouldn't have it any other way! We are all created so precious and unique and if you know that you are as healthy as you can be whatever weight you are at, embrace it and love yourself the perfect way that you are. If you're naturally very thin, take your super model bod and be proud that you don't have to watch what you eat. If you have "extra love", show it off! Marilyn Monroe was rumored to be a size 10 and she had no problem posing in front of a camera!

No matter what size you may be, wear it with confidence. Because confidence is truer than any number you see on a scale. Some of the most beautiful women I know may not look like models but it's because of their shining, radient personality and love they give off that they are absolutely stunning. With all the magazines slapping their miracle weight loss promises on the front cover to attract buyers, I wanted to write a blog today about just being who you are and loving every bit of it. If no one is telling you that you are beautiful, I am telling you right now that you are so gorgeous and breath taking! You have your own special features that NO ONE in the world has! That's something to be proud of and show off girl! I love you the way that you are.

Have a beautiful, bright, and love-filled Monday!
Love,
Nikki

Before & After: Nina

BEFORE


As much of a beautiful face she has, she has the most amazingly quirky personality to go with it - so I really wanted to do something fun with her because I knew she would be down for anything!

AFTER


These lashes are actually from Walmart, I bought them 2 Halloween seasons ago and never had the opportunity to use them until now! I think they are so much fun and I wish i got them in the other colors that were there too!

Before & After Park Deux!: Elizabeth

BEFORE




AFTER

New Product Rave! Sally Hansen Salon effects Nail Polish Strips

I love trying new things, especially when in comes to beauty products. I have an event coming up this weekend and I thought this would be the perfect time to try the new Sally Hansen Salon Effects REAL Nail Polish Strips in Misbehaved. Here are my "before" nails:


My nail bed has creases on it due to artificial nails I had almost a month ago that I had to take off because they were starting to get too too long and I am too too lazy to keep up with fake nails! Haha


This is right after I applied the nail strips. They were super simple to put on and the best part, NO SMELL. So you can give yourself a fresh new manicure while on a plane or in a car and no one would ever know! Since I've had them on (and it's only been a day so far), I've gotten 3 compliments from 2 women and one man! They really do stand out and look professional.

PROS
- Easy to apply. *TIP* Slightly warm the strips in your hand before applying to the nail. This will make them adhere a bit better.
- No bad smell
- Various designs and color
- Can buy them anywhere (CVS, Walgreens, Ulta, Rite Aid, Walmart, and the list goes on)

CONS
- Price. $9.99, which isn't very expensive but if you look at it, the strips cost almost as much as a full bottle of OPI polish.
- 16 strips. Why not 20, two for each nail? I just think 16 is a little strange.
- Not made for gals with wide nails. A couple of my nails are wide and none of the strips seam to fit just right. It's not enough of a drastic difference that anyone will notice, I just notice the outer corners of some of my nails aren't covered.

They promise to last up to 10 days so stay posted for a post next week to see how they held up through showering, typing, and working!

oxox,
Nikki

Before & After Part 1: Eva

BEFORE




AFTER

Big, fat, beautiful lips

Why is it we always want the opposite of what we have? We want our bigger body parts to shrink and our tiny parts to get bigger! lol

If you were blessed with tiny lips like myself, you've probably tried every lip plumping product out there only to discover that none of them seem to ever do the trick. With a little makeup magic, you can plump those bad boys right up!

BEFORE....



...then WABOOSH!!



Here is what I used:

- Wet n' Wild Lip liner in #666
- MAC Lipstick in "Creme Cup"
- Some random lipgloss that is cotton candy flavored! I think it's from Bonne Bell.


First, I lined my lips with the nude liner. My top lip is thinner than my bottom, so I lined above the natural lip line of my top lip.


I then shaded in the corners of my mouth with the liner. By doing that, it creates a shadow which makes the middle part of your lips appear fuller because it is lighter in color. Oh the tricks of the eye!


I put my favorite nude lipstick over top of that and then dabbed a little bit of gloss right in the center of both the top and bottom lip.



Viola! Now you know the secrets that every makeup artist whose ever worked on a Victoria's Secret model has used to make their lips fuller and more kissable haha.

Love and plumps,
Nikki