For several weeks now I have been eyeing this green Guess wool trench coat from Macy’s. It’s so very cute but I just can’t imagine spending $220 on a coat (faithful readers know I am the self proclaimed queen of cheap). So you can imagine my excitement when I found this great wool Trench at Old Navy for less than half the price of my coveted Guess coat! It comes in several colors including basic black and brown to this seasons hottest trendy bold colors like attention getting green and flashy fusia. I ordered my the old navy coat today and I can hardly wait for it to arrive…then I’ll have to wait for the weather to cool down so I can wear it but that’s another issue.

[Above Women’s Pique Wool Blend Coat $89.50 available at select Old Navy locations and oldnavy.com]

Drug Store Diva; Make-up on the Cheap

I have to preface this by admitting that I am a huge fan of department store make-up. My favorite store is Sephora; my favorite department in Nordstrom’s is cosmetics. I love Bare Escentuals and MAC. I can spend hours at Sephora. Unfortunately my new budget won’t allow it. So I headed out to the drug store (well actually it was Target) to finds some budget friendly finds.So after spending about an hour perusing the cosmetics isle of Target and reading labels I came to one conclusion…some product simply must nit be sacrificed. My foundation for one!I am a mineral make-up girl Bare Minerals to be exact. After reading the label on ever mineral make-up in the store I have to say they can not hold a candle to me Bare Minerals foundation.

However I did find some good finds.

Mascara

Mascara had a shelf life of about 3 months I don’t see any point of spending a lot of money on a product with such a short shelf life. I love Cover girl Lash Blast.

Lip liner

Up to 3 years Shelf life. Extra tip: Skip the push-up lip liners. They're expensive, tend to break and you never really know how much you have left until you run out. No need to spend money on lip liners, there's no secret to greatness for this product. Save your money for powders and foundation.

Eye Liner

Again just like with eyeliner there is no magic formula they pretty much all work the same save your money!

Eye Make-up remover

There are so many great ones on the market I love Target Brand, it gets the job done and it’s really inexpensive!

Products like mascara and lip-gloss have such a short lifespan and there’s such little distinction in quality, they should be purchased at the drugstore.

Lipstick and eyeliners found at drugstores are pretty comparable to the the quality found at department stores. My general rule of thumb is that anything that is powdered or an all-over makeup should be purchased at department stores. Most drugstore blushes, powders and eye shadows contain talc, making them appear very chalky. They don’t have the lasting effect that products like MAC have.Though there are some quality foundations and congealers at drugstores, there are two downsides. One, it’s often difficult to tell if the colors will match your skin tone. At department stores, you can sample different shades before you purchase. Two, the products at drugstores are not always formulated with products meant to stay on your skin all day. Remember, they’re cheaper for a reason.

Elf cosmetics is a gret place to get cheap make-up everything is $1.00

'The Secret Life of Bees'

Okay so every since I saw the cast on Oprah I have been dying to see this movie. So today I finally had a few free hours to go do so. Let me begin by saying that I love, love, loved this movie. I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed a movie this much. Bring your girlfriends, your sisters your mothers…this is one you don’t want to miss. Starring Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifiah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and new comer Sophie Okonedo. I must say, it might be the best film featuring a mostly black cast since "Antwone Fisher." And perfectly casted I can’t imagine anyone else playing these characters the way these ladies did.

The story centers on Lily (Dakota Fanning), a poor, lonely little girl in the Deep South, who deals with a tragic past and a cruel father. Her life revolves around day dreams her relationship with her caregiver Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson).In the midst of the civil rights movement, Rosaleen finds herself in some trouble with the locals, inspiring Lily to flee with her to a South Carolina town that she believes holds the secret to her mother's past. In this town, they find refuge with the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo), who take them in. Through their cultured world, filled with beekeeping, a lucrative honey business, religious beliefs and love, Lily finds the security she has longed for and finds the answers to questions that haunted her for years.

The director (Prince-Brythewood) did a great job at making us care about the characters, even the miserable father played excellently by Paul Bettany. Alicia Keys shows that some R&B singers can actually perform well in a movie, playing the snooty June Boatwright. However, the best performance has to be Okonedo, who played the gentle, simple minded, manic depressive May Boatwright. Okonedo reminded me so much of Thandie Newton's character in "Beloved”.

The film has its flaws. It dragged for a good first thirty minutes as we watch Lily and Rosaleen mill about, doing mundane things in the beginning. But then it really picks up when they meet the Boatwright sisters. The characters were balancing on a thin line between empathetic and sympathetic. It’ll evoke every emotion, you’ll laugh and you’ll cry. It really peaked my interest and I defiantly plan on reading the book now. Overall, it’s a solid film and definitely worth the time in seeing.

O' The Leggings Ladies, the leggings

Now ladies don't get me wrong...Yes, leggings are back but ladies these are an accessory…yes, I said accessory, not a clothing item! I love my leggings, bu I am so sick and tired of the poor poor fashion victoms who wander aimlessly around wearing this trend sooooooo wong.
Use leggings for layering, like tights. Let’s wear them under shorter dresses, skirts and flowery long tops. And absolutely NO 80’s neon bright… keep em’ dark preferably black, o’ and DO NOT show the booty. That’s a NO NO. Choose a well made pair - not with cotton fibers that bag out over time but a high tech fiber that retains it shape. If you’re new to leggings Spanx is a great brand! Yes laeggings can be a great accessory.


Why this girl loves leggings...
1. They are so comfortable
2. They are very versatile, they can be dressed up or dressed down
3. You can buy them in a variety of lengths
4. They offer your legs some shielding from the cold
5. They are really cute
6. They are very inexpensive

My Fall Beauty Must Haves

As the weather cools stay fall-fabulous these are my fall must haves!

1. Moisturizer
As the weather cools protect and hydrate with a good rich moisturizer. My favorite; Philosophy Hope in a Jar

2. Grey flat color eye shadow
A dramatic, smoky eye in sophisticated shades of layered grey. Mix and match silver, charcoal and gunmetal shadows for a great smoky eye; my favorite Bare Escentuals eye shadow in Skyline.

3. Nude lip
A naturally nude pout balances out the smoky eye. Choose a beige-y nude, that’s neither too matte nor too shiny. My favorite MAC lipstick in Myth and MAC lip glass in C-Thru U.

4. Long Lashes
The fluttery dolled up look of the 60’s is back. Try a thicken mascara or a pair of false lashes. My favorite Bare Escentuals Magic wand Mascara layered over BE Lash Builder.

5. Sheer Foundation
Keep it natural and light with just a hint of blush my favorite Bare Escentuals SPF 15 foundation.