Hair Masks: Part One

Most people wouldn't take any kind of advice from teenagers

 for any reason EVER. But here's my theory:

you should take advice from people who are knowledgeable, 

passionate, and dare I say obsessed with the subject with which

you need advice. And who in the world is more obsessed with

their hair more than teenage girls? So when it comes to hair
inquiries I turn to my niece Anna who is one such teenage girl.
She recommended an avocado mask for my "dry hair"
 (this advice can come with some hits to the ego).

Here's another thing about teenagers, they've got a lot going on.
So since Anna didn't get back to me right away (she was at
 basketball practice) used THIS recipe from Cosmopolitan.

So I proceeded to blend the ingredients word for word
according to the directions. What resulted was the following:
 

If the word "DISASTER" is careening through your brain,
then welcome to my world. The problem with this recipe
ended up being not the ingredients themselves but the
instructions that came with them. Cosmo failed to tell me
a couple of crucial things when applying a hair mask. How to
get it out properly and what to do once it was out. Guess
I should've waited for the expert's instructions.
Sidenote: this garbage smells like bananas..I hate bananas
how did I think this was a good idea?

p.s. Anna's recipe will be given in part two. Let's hope it
yields a better result. Happy weekend!

Eyebrow Obsession

Ever since I can remember I have been absolutely obsessed with
my eyebrows. Eyebrows create the frame of your face and therefore
 are essential for showstopping makeup. Without a strong brow,
makeup can look strangely unbalanced. Think of it as the anchor of
your  makeup routine. Maybe this visual will help:
Strong brows -- Weak brows

1. Detailed Eye Shading Brush: Ecotools by Alicia Silverstone

2. Spoolie Brush:Ecotools by Alicia Silverstone 

3. Eyeliner Pencil: Jordana

Use the spoolie brush to tame your brows into
the desired shape. Nothing too cray cray just
make sure they're not all over the place.

This is the part that takes the most practice so don't lose
heart, you can do it! For a stronger brow similar to what
you'd see on Camilla Belle, outline your brows all the way
 around . For a more subtle brow, only line the start of the
brow by the inside corner of the eye and the bottom of the

brow. Most important: make sure the brows are symmetrical!
Duh.

Use the little brush and a brow shadow or eye shadow that
is close to your hair color. Lightly brush the shadow in the
outline you've made. Coloring outside the lines is not a positive
thing in this scenario. You may make them as dark as you choose.
But remember this! Never forget this! Blend the lines you've
drawn, otherwise you'll look...well like a psycho.

The finished product should resemble a full and nicely
shaped brow. Please just don't make it look like you've 

got them tattooed onto your face. If you have any questions
feel free to throw them my way at: mmmbetty@live.com

Pink Polish

Since winter's debut its been hard to revert back to my

fall/winter polish colors. Bloggers all over the place

like L.A., have already jumped knee deep into spring

fashion. While the rest of us are knee deep more literally

 in snow and unable to leave our apartments.

So to keep fresh and springy I chose this bubble gum pink

to cheer me up. But to keep from looking too bubbly I

added the silver sparkles that give a nod to the snowflakes

falling outside my frosted window.

1. Loreal-Penthouse Pink

2. Pure Ice-Beware

3. Essie-Mini How High

4. Pure Ice-Taupe Drawer

On all but the ring finger, I used Loreal's "Pink Penthouse."

For the ring finger, which I have now routinely done just

a little bit differently, I used Essie's "Mini How High" as a

base. I then swiped Pure Ice's "Taupe Drawer" on half

of the nail closest to the pinky. Then I brushed Pure Ice's

"Beware" on the other half. Finally I used the "Penthouse

Pink" on the top half of the "Taupe Drawer" stripe.

A pop of color is exactly what a person needs in all this

 dreary snow. What are some spring colors that you're excited

to rock this year?

Monkey Business, Sweet Notes, and Wool Sweaters

Well I finally got home from winter "break" to find this little

 fella in my FRIDGE! Cesar is a new addition to our home ever 

since a charming little white elephant party. Cesar has made

 several startling appearances throughout the house, from under

 bed sheets to in the shower, this little guy is quite the prankster. 

 While on break I got some exciting new baubles and 

some new threads which you'll be seeing over the next few

 days and weeks. Among my favorites are these two bracelets

 which I generally wear together. Both were family treasures 

found while cleaning out our old home in Arizona. My great

 Aunt BJ was an altogether fabulous woman and apparently jade

 was among her favorite gems.

["I'm your friend who buys you Chanel"]

Coming back to the apartment is always hard for the first 

couple weeks. I'm still an absolute baby when it comes to leaving 

my Mommy and Daddy, and yes I still cry on occasion, after all I 

am the youngest! But these funny little notes from my favorite 

bunny make the transition a little easier.  

Thrifted sweater, TJ Maxx leggings, Claire's necklace

This wool sweater and these fringed boots are just the ticket

 for this classic Montana snow day! I'll not be setting a foot 

outside today so if you need me I'll be sippin on some hot 

cocoa and watching beautiful snow flakes fall on our winter

 wonderland. Feel free to send me a message at: 

mmmbetty@live.com

Top Picks for Winter Coats!

If there is one item for winter to splurge on, its coats! I don't believe in having only one boring black coat and wearing it everyday. Instead my goal this year is to add to my coat collection with at least one of each of these fun coats. Special coats will assist in kicking the winter blues in the butt! KA-BLAM!

Also, all of these coats are under $70.00, just saying.

(Charlotte-Russe)

The pea coat of course is a winter essential, so adding a POP of color is obligatory! I would also suggest finding different cuts and special details. This will set you apart from the masses who are donning the hum drum classic black peacoat. [There are a lot of great options HERE.]

(F21)

Now a leopard print has got to be the way to go this year! Its so glam it almost hurts. The one pictured doesn't do these coats justice. To check out a real classy one click HERE.

(Alloy)

I absolutely love a fur coat! A short fur coat will lend a glitz to a pair of jeans or trousers and a longer fur would be appropriate for the theater. 

(Alloy)

The faux-shearling is the coat I'm most excited about! It is so cool in a rocker/Amelia Earhart sort of way. And yes I believe present day Amelia Earhart would be an indie rocker.

For an even cheaper alternative click HERE.

Winter coats are a big deal folks. Don't let the snow getcha down, throw on a fabulous coat and feel chipper! And if that doesn't help, nothing will...except maybe a SAD light. 

p.s. funk up winter coats with adorable brooches!

(all accessories F21, all shoes are amiclubwear.com)

Look For Less Lunes: Olivia

This look for less was a request from a secret fan! Hee hee! If you're like me and my secret friend, you probably peruse lookbook.nu quite frequently. Our fan stumbled upon this photo and was totally inspired. The girl pictured is Olivia. She is 19 years old, absolutely fabulous, and even owns a store! (www.shopthecaravan.com)

1. HUE Tights- $9.37

2. Mossimo UltraSoft Sweater- $17.99

3. UO Cateye Sunglasses- $14.00

4. F21 Bead Knuckle Ring- $5.80

5. F21 Bow Detail Shorts- $19.80

6. Poppy Jones Bag- $29.95

7. Leopard Print Oxford Heel- $24.80

Look for Less Lunes is totally up for suggestions B the way. If you have any person's outfit, celebrity/non-celebrity/friend/stranger who's picture you took with your cell phone, that you'd like to see in a Look for Less Lunes then send me a picture and I'll be glad to whip it up for you!

You can contact me at either of these places:

mmmbetty@live.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mmm-betty/167543663301815

Horsies!

As a child I loved , nay (no pun intended), was obsessed with horses. I knew everything there was to know about them and yes I had one of those giant my little ponies, the irony of which I was too young to understand at the time. As soon as we moved to Montana my parents promised me a horse, and just as they promised that very Christmas I received my very own hand made personalized...saddle. I never did get that horse, though my parents meant well, it just never worked out. Honestly it's better this way, I barely remember to feed Crixus. All this to say that when I saw this dress I had to get my hands on it!

(thrifted strawberry ring)

(PacSun dress)

(Gap flats, Claire's stockings)

Since my mom bought me the dress I feel that there is some poetic justice that has taken place. And someday I'll use that saddle, after I brush off the dust particles with a snow shovel, perhaps for a decoration in a Cowboy themed room. I'm lookin at you Dinorah! Well folks, have a gorgeous 11.11.11, for those of you having weddings: congradulations! For those of us staying up 12 hours straight running around the city with 400 middle schoolers: good luck!