Monthly Archives for March 2012

Get Into the Groove

Purchased this skirt at Goodwill last week. Just HAD to have it, and I think it’s the perfect addition to a summer wardrobe. I looooove the use of bright colors this year. It’s a challenge to me, since it’s definitely bolder than my usual colors, and vintage definitely makes this an affordable trend to try. I love vintage clothing, and sad to say, but the 70s and the 80s make up most of my clothing choices.

OOTD
Thrifted skirt and shirt
Dillard’s gold flats

NOTD
I saw Stephanie of Imperfectly Painted wear this recently, and thought it would be the perfect choice for my outfit. I received this thanks to Milani. I was in a rush on this day, and I was happy that the polish dried quickly and only needed two coats.

EOTD
Loved my EOTD.
Kat Von D Angeles palette
TFSI
Milani Runway Lashes

And it was date night on this day. We tried Greek yet again, Athena’s in Maitland.

On the Side of the Road

Every time I wear this dress, I think of gypsies. I found this at Target in the plus size juniors section a few years ago, and I haven’t worn it in a while. I only wore it on this day because it was the closest thing to match my nails! Typical.

OOTD
Target dress
Dillard’s gold flats

NOTD
Frankened this, inspired by DIY versions of Nerdlacquer Cyance Friction

OOTD
All I have to say is that Milani’s new Runway Lash mascara. I received it during the CFL Beauty Bloggers meetup, and it is amazing! I’ve used it several times, and it’s something you can build up and have no clumps. I use a lot of mascaras… not many are instantly loved and used a second time.
L’Oreal HIP Sassy
Milani Runway Lash mascara
TFSI
Milani Eye Tech Extreme

I’m On a Walkabout

Khaki clothing in general makes me think of outdoorsy things like safaris or walkabouts. You always see people on the tv or film in the hot blazing sun wearing them, probably with some cool hat on. Does it make the heat feel better? I found this skirt from Zara 1/2 off last week at the Salvation Army. I don’t usually wear things like this, or separates in general. That is why you see me wearing dresses so often: big secret- I cannot out an outfit together to save my life!

OOTD
Old Navy tank and sweater
Thrifted Zara skirt
Minnetonka moccasins

NOTD
Layla Ultra Violet
This is so pretty, truly one you must see in person.

Craft It Out

On Sunday, I happened to be alone. That’s kind of rare on the weekend, so I had some goals for myself: shop, get overdue refund from Sears, and craft. I did those things, and didn’t buy anything outside of craft supplies. I also lost my engagement ring, so I was in a very mopey mood the entire day. I got to sit outside and read while crafting, that part was pretty nice. It was a beautiful day.

Once upon a time, I see to be craftier. I craft for work, but it’s not the same. At least it helps me get back into it. I’m the least artsy person in my entire family, and that’s saying a lot since you’d think I’d be artsy. We’ve all got a lot of great talents, how can I measure up?! I just show it in different ways. For this day, I decided to make a tie dye shirt and glitter shoes (the latter a recommendation of a co-worker, and my first time using Modge Podge).

Some of my favorite things style-wise involve neons and stripes. So… I added them together using Tumble Dye, tape, and a crop tee from Victoria’s Secret Outlet.

Glittered up a pair of Urban Outfitters flats found at a Goodwill a few years ago, using a mix of Modge Podge and holographic fine glitter.

OOTD
JCP oversized top as a tunic
Thrifted vintage Levi’s shorts

Ever in Your Favor

The Hunger Games! People are crazy for it, and I completely understand. I am Team Peeta, and young people everywhere love Katniss, and I think she’s a great role model. I wore both of my Hunger Games outfits to work today. :0 I changed during lunch. People thought I looked cute.

And BTW, I totes saw the movie at midnight, with hundreds of teenagers.

I dyed my outfits from today with iDye Turquoise.

The Reaping

OOTD
Tulle dress
Vintage belt
UO pink sweater
UO headband with added flower

The Capitol

OOTD
Thrifted jacket and skirt
Old Navy top
Target flats

NOTD
CG Towel Boy Toy and Phat Santa
OPI Love is a Racket

EOTD
All I know is that I used L’oreal HIP for the blue, and WnW for the red; Diorshow blue mascara, Revlon lipstick

Don’t Know Jack About Ba

I was tagged by Courtney of Phyrra! I love her blog. I’m like a strange open book- you’ll find out a lot of random thing about me, and they never make sense together.

The Rules
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus eleven questions for the people you have tagged to answer.
3. Choose eleven people and link them in your tag.
4. Email the person to let them know that they’ve been tagged.
5. No tag backs.
6. You legitimately have to tag.

11 Things About Me, Ali/NiftyBa
1. My first passport expired in 1997. My first trip out of the country was to the Philippines when I was 1.5 years old.
2. Titanic still makes me cry. I am very excited for the film to be re-released, although I’m not sure it needed to be in 3-D.
3. I like my cars hatchback and oval looking. Kia Rio Cinco and Honda Fit, cherry red.
4. I hate knowing how long activities will be. For example, I hate knowing the distance I have to walk from Point A to Point B. It’s best not to tell me so I won’t complain.
5. It takes a long time for me to make friends/ I am extremely shy. On the other hand, I have to be very outgoing at my job. I am freakishly friendly at my job, the complete opposite of me in public.
6. One of my first email addresses was inspired by Lord of the Rings when I was in the 10th grade. A lot of guys I liked were geeky, so it worked. Very difficult to spell the Elvish for “farewell” when people ask for your email, though.
7. I love reality TV shows like Intervention, Parking Wars, Cops, Hoarders, Dance Moms… basically anything that’s not funny to my husband.
8. I have a fear of heights. Not that I am afraid of falling- no, it’s that I want to fall.
9. I have 4 things on my bucket list before age 30: become a mom, go white water rafting, own a scooter, see the Northern Lights.
10. My nickname is Ali, since my mother and I share the name name. My other nickname, Ba, is short for Ali Baba.
11. I was in theater in high school. I had 6 roles. My biggest part was playing an overreactive dinner guest with back pain. I had a fake husband.

11 Questions from Courtney
1. Are there any colors of eye shadow or lipstick that you just won’t wear?
Open to all sorts of eyeshadow shades, but I don’t think I’ll wear something like blue lipstick.
2. What’s your latest makeup obsession?
Sheer nail polishes. Anything coral colored, lipstick, nail polish, whatever.
3. What’s your favorite color for spring this year?
Orangey reds!
4. Do you have a favorite flower?
I love peonies and carnations.
5. What’s one product that was hyped up that let you down?
Revlon Photoready products. Or maybe I just don’t need facial makeup (I rarely wear any).
6. What’s your favorite hair color on you?
My natural hair color, black, but I love ombré with any color. I want pink one day!
7. What’s your favorite pet?
I have to pick just 1?! …. Don’t tell them, but I love my smaller cat Naomi.
8. What is your favorite genre of books to read?
Oooooo, so hard since I work at a library! Secret guilty pleasure: chick lit that makes you cry. Also, crime, fiction or nonfiction.
9. If you were asked to make your dream makeup or nail polish collection, what would be in it? (colors, finishes, products) How would you name it?
I’d have a girly girly nail polish and eyeshadow collex called Oui. It’d basically be based on the fanciful young girl who lives in a carefree Paris with macaroons and balloons. Very light pastels, sheers and shimmers, everything looking like a box of Laduree.
10. If you could only pick one foundation to wear, what would it be?
Since I don’t wear foundation… I’ll just say base coats as a foundation for nail polish…
11. What’s one makeup item/collection that you skipped that you regret missing?
China Glaze Kaleidoscope, or all those awesome old drugstore Sally Hansen or Revlon Street Wears.

I Tagged the Following People… (play if ya want!)
Alyssa of Pretty Little Bottles
Kari of Once Bitten
Leslie of Cherubic
Catherine of Beauty by Cat
Kimberly of Libby’s Pink Vanity
Leandra of Nail Polish Therapy
Rhonda of Nails Beautiqued
Pamela of Pamela’s Closet
Deborah of DeborahYanni
Cristina of Let Them Have Polish
Toni of ToniizBeauty

My 11 Questions for You
1. What was your Outfit of the Day?
2. What was the last thing you broke?
3. Do you have a custom ringtone on your cell phone?
4. Are you named after anyone?
5. What was the last thing you were complimented about?
6. What has been the farthest you’ve travelled?
7. What does your umbrella look like?
8. Do you have a favorite guilty pleasure meal, treat, or restaurant?
9. What is your most prized makeup possession?
10. What is your most prized possession (non-makeup related)?
11. Does Zoya have a nail polish with your name on it?

Sprung!

Happy spring, y’all!

It’s been springtime here in Central Florida for a while. I’ve been hoping for a final freeze to surprise us, but that never happened past January, and I suppose I should bring back my spring and summer wardrobe. Please tell me I am not the only one out there who changes out their clothes with the seasons. Anyways, I got to wear jeans to work on the first day of work! Made sure I had some pastel accents, and used a bag I’ve rarely utilized since I picked it up last year.

OOTD
Blue sweater – Target
Jeans – Old Navy
Tank – Hollister
Moccasins – Minnetonka
Satchel – Olsenboye for JCP

NOTD
Diamond Cosmetics Pelican Peak Purple
Previously untried, from one of my favorite companies

EOTD
Layered mascara – Prestige My Longest Lashes with YSL Shocking mascara

A Case of the Mondays

When this week started, I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle it. I have A LOT going on! But that’s okay- I just take a deep breath and hold on for the ride. :) This Monday, I wore a Backup Dress, you know, those clothes you have that you know you can just pull on and go.

OOTD
Tulle dress
Soda Object flats

NOTD
You can barely tell I did a sandwich of CND 24k Sparkle between Essie Nude Beach. The only place I could take a good picture was in the shower (that was different).

EOTD
I know I used some purples, but it was very very faint.

Start Anew

Sunday was a beautiful day, but the unexpected happened early on.

I had broken a nail during book club preparations. #firstworldproblem

Ugh, goodbye stilettos. Hello nubbins!

On to better things.

NOTD
Sparitual Sacred Ground
Nail-Venturous Voodoo Doll

OOTD
My husband’s favorite top – Forever 21
Skirt – American Apparel

EOTD
?

Want to know my biggest secret?

I haven’t shaved since December.

Gold At the End of Every Rainbow

My husband actually pinched me on this day, and I admit, I pinched back. He had no right- I had green everywhere!

OOTD
Forever 21 top
Gap skirt

NOTD
Cover Girl NailSlicks in Mint Sorbet
Semi jelly sandwiched in a gradient with $OPI Only Gold For Me

EOTD
Maybelline EyeStudio Color Explosion in Forest Fury
Milani Total Lash Cover mascara

Also held (cook)book club at my house on St. Patrick’s Day. Made Scottish bangers sandwiches and colcannon. I rarely cook due to differing household tastes and work schedule, except for book club. I rarely rarely cook meat, so my friends had to give me some tips! It was all yummy.