A Life of Style: Ladies Cufflinks

I had a hard time finding cute and feminine cufflinks. Thank goodness for Google! I found a great website Cuff Daddy.

Cuff Daddy has the cutest assortment of cufflinks for women all priced under $60.

A Life of Style: Hair Care Boot Camp - Finding a New Stylist

The relationship between a woman and her hair stylist is very important. I know people who have their hair done at random by any and everybody, they salon hop, and have the nerve to complain about the poor condition of their hair.

I believe in patronizing a quality salon with talented and capable stylists whose main concern is healthy hair.

If you don't have a regular hair stylist it's time to get serious about finding someone.

So here are my tips for finding a new stylist:

**Ask a friend who has great hair, "Who does your hair?" Referrals can be a great way to find your new stylist.

**Check out salons close to your job or in your neighborhood. Ask the receptionist who the best stylists are. I used to pass a very posh salon on my way to S'bucks every morning. I went in one day to get some information and possibly schedule a consultation. Not only was the salon very upscale, the staff had that 'more upscale than thou' attitude which I detest. Fancy and upscale aren't always good things.

**Interview potential stylists in person so they can see your hair. Ask what is their hair philosophy, what products they use, how do they keep up to date on the latest products, techniques, etc, do they have pictures of their work, what are their hours, what are their rates, how can they help with particular hair issues you may be having, what do they recommend for your hair? During the interview/consultation, the stylist should ask you questions as well and offer some recommendations based on your specific hair type.

**Schedule an appointment with the stylist you feel most comfortable with. It's also a good idea to take a picture of a hair style along so you can see how well the stylist can reproduce the look. If you don't have a picture, that's fine just tell the stylist how you normally wear your hair.

**Pay close attention to the stylist and the salon. Is his/her station clean? What is the salon atmosphere like? Does he have too many clients at the same time causing him to do what I call assembly line styling? Do the clients appear comfortable with the stylist? Is he/she super chatty? Are the clients smiling when they leave the chair?

**If you're pleased with your hair then schedule another appointment and start going to the stylist on a weekly or biweekly basis - that's how you build a good rapport with the hair stylist. It's important to stay with one person who can get your hair in the best condition. Consistency is important in achieving healthy hair.

A Life of Style: Mocha Martini

Mocha Martini - A yummy cocktail for winter nights at home.


4 shots ABSOLUT Vodka (adjust if 4 shots is too much)
4 parts Espresso Coffee (Cold)
3 parts Dark Cacao Liqueur

Chocolate syrup
Cocktail Sugar Rimmer in Chocolate Bar

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Rim glasses with Cocktail Sugar Chocolate Bar and chill. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Drizzle some chocolate syrup on top for an extra chocolate treat.

Enjoy!

Get Perfect Skin in 2009

Use this step-by-step guide and have glowing skin all year long

Here's the scoop on what products you should think about using in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s to keep your skin looking great. With these regimens, you can be on your way to flawless skin in the new year. Who doesn't want that? Find your regime

A Life of Style: Date Night Chic

With a new year comes new romantic possibilities.

Here are some cute date looks that can work for a first date (look 1), theatre and dinner at an upscale restaurant (look 2), a night at the movies or drinks & appetizers at a hip lounge (look 3):


1st date casual chic by citydiva19



dressy date night by citydiva19



dinner & a movie date night by citydiva19

A Life of Style: My 2009 Beauty & Fashion Resolutions

My Beauty and Fashion Resolutions:

- Take makeup application lessons - I want to apply makeup like a PRO

- Grow my hair to shoulder length and try new hairstyles - I'm in a real hair style rut

- Develop healthy eating habits - Less cookies, more fruits & veggies. More water, less lattes

- Go back to wearing heels because I've been wearing flats for a while - I need to feel tall again. Some children are taller than me when I have on flats, lol

- Take my vitamins everyday

- Start a Sunday evening at home spa regimen - facial, exfoliation, moisturizing, scalp treatment

- Continue taking care of my hair so that I can meet my growth goal

- At least once a week disconnect for 30 to 45 minutes (no phones, no laptop, no TV)

- Purchase a Mason Pearson hair brush, NARS lipstick in Pigalle, and Rapid Lash Eyelash Renewal Serum

- Always keep blotting papers in my purse/bag (Boscia are my fave!!)

- Organize all my nail polish by brand and shade

- Start getting massages

- Reorganize my closet and FINALLY sell all my old Coach and Dooney & Bourke bags

- Add to my Audrey Hepburn collection

- Continue my weekly manis and biweekly pedis

- Go to all Chicago sample sales especially the denim ones

- Try looks from different eras like the 1940s ladylike chic but with a modern twist - I have a really nice black pencil skirt and jade green patent leather T-strap pumps...There's an outfit waiting to happen.

- Take advantage of all opportunities that blogging brings my way

A Life of Style: My 2009 Shopping List

2009 shopping list beauty, home, fashion by citydiva19





Just a few items I want to get this year and everyone knows this list WILL get longer as the year goes on, LOL!



BEAUTY



- Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick



- An FHI Flat iron



- Sedu Hair Styler



- Beauty Blender Sponge & Beauty Blender Cleanser



- Loreal Hair Fixer



- Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler



- Rapid Lash Eyelash renewal



- L'Oreal HIP Kohl Eyeliner - NEW!!!!



- L'Oreal Color Presso - NEW!!!!



- Rene Furterer Vitalfan Vitality Supplements



HOME



- New bookcases



- Vacuum cleaner



- Vases



- New glasses from Crate & Barrel



- Leather storage ottoman





FASHION



- Maxi dresses



- Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 - My dream bag *sigh*



- 1 pair of Christian Louboutin shoes (I can dream...Can't I?)



- More skirts



- Killer job interview ensembles (I HATE suits)