Beauty VIP: Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Don't forget, just two days left to enter the giveaway for gorgeous-for-spring Stella & Dot earrings, courtesy of wonder woman Angelica Wyke!

And, if you're local, catch me tonight on CBS12 during the 7 pm news dishing about tasty chocolate bars under 200 calories that are delish (promise!), yet won't kill your diet. I'll share them here tomorrow.

Now to today's post... Say hello to gorgeous (lower) lashes.Can I start with an AMEN, SISTA?! Fasten your seatbelts and get ready because your lower lashes are never going to be the same.

Me, your average, typical, gal, has always struggled with applying mascara to my bottom lashes because
1. I'm not a make-up artist.
2. I don't have so many lashes to work with.
3. A mess always ensues making me look like I kind of got punched in the face (or that I'm a five-year-old trying to apply make-up, ha) so I often choose to skim even doing them.

Until now! Enter:
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara!
{applause, applause}

While Sephora lets you test everything before you buy it, you'll have to trust me on this one. You can't effectively test this because you can't use one of Sephora's generic disposable mascara brushes to sample. The mystique around this product is the extra-small brush specially designed for coating our mini lower lashes. It's so much more fool-proof than the regular mascara wand. No globs or goops or clumps (yay!) because you can easily access each lash, almost individually. It's dare, I say, genius.

Comes in black or a black/brown (my choice), for a very worthy $10.

Gaga Makes Me Want to Get Nude

Hoping it would catch your attention! 

After reading last week's post with Dori's 5 must haves to get flawlessly camera ready, I realized I needed to love my lip color as much as she did hers! So, I ventured to The Gardens Mall (a crazy must if you live anywhere near me) in search of new color. Rough Sunday afternoon outing, huh?

Since Dori and I are blessed with similar complexions, I was all set to buy her MAC combo of Viva Glam V lipstick and lip glass, until... I discovered the most jaw-dropping perfect shade of nude lipstick ever. Inspired by Lady Gaga, MAC recently unveiled this limited edition wonder in a lipstick and lip glass. I'm OB.SESSED. I want to wear it to sleep I love it so much. Hahaha!

Nudes are totally in for spring with apparel and accessories, and your lips are no exception. This warm beige covers all the pigment in your lips, giving you this perfect, subtly glamorous look with a matte finish (that's not drying at all).

If you want a little gloss or slight color, consider topping it with a gloss of your choice or first lining your lips with an light brown lip pencil. I got the Viva Glam V  lipglass to layer on top and also wear on its own.

PERK: ALL of the proceeds of MACs Viva Glam products -- including their special edition ones like this -- go toward the M∙A∙C Aids Fund. It kind of makes me wish their lipsticks were more than the bargain price of  $14.50 (was totally expecting $22ish each). Check it out here or head to a MAC store to get nude with Gaga!

Trend: Take it to the MAX-I

Now here's a trend we should all be "Woohoo'ing!" In a definite nod to the '70s vibe, the maxi skirt and dress are in full force this season. They just look so great on so many body types. Had to share it with you after seeing it so perfectly illustrated in an understated way in the March Nordstrom catalogue. Do you get that catalogue by the way? It's a must. Call, email, tweet, do whatever you have to, and then prepare for major drooling (followed by a fast trip to their web site or store! hah).

As for the maxi, why am I even more excited? I'm totally digging out my summer 2009 maxi dresses I lived in when I was pregnant! Is 2009 considered vintage yet? Hah. I digress. None of them were maternity, an illustration how much "give" these dresses have. You'll see me in one soon enough... I took it out for a test drive recently to rave reviews! Will post the look very soon.

A solid color or bold all-over pattern are best for shorter, more petite gals, and consider wearing them with wedges to give yourself some extra height. Try the DV for Target I just blogged about for an affordable, fashionable option! Pile them on with loads of necklaces or an armful of bangles, and add a belt if you want to give your waist some definition. Also consider layering a cardigan in a contrasting color for a more modern look.

Here are a few styles, and inspiration, to get you thinking about how you can take it to the... max-i!

Nordstrom, Splendid Knit Maxi Skirt, $84.00

Forever 21, Psychedelic Maxi Dress, $27.80

Anthropologie, Whispering Forest Maxi Dress, $138.00

Mossimo Supply Sleeveless Maxi Dress, $15.39

Express, Maxi Skirt, $39.90

Anthropologie, In the Abstract Dress, $248.00

Trend: Cross-Body Bags

How fabulous are these? While they're not for everyone, and not even for every person all the time, I absolutely j'adore the functionality of a bag I can toss over my bod and not have to worry about. While some are too teeny tiny, and some look like messenger bags I wore while trekking across campus while at UF forever ago, there are so many adorable, affordable looks. I recently just purchased a dark beige/neutral from Loehmann's and I'm loving it!

How perfect is this when you're shopping when you need your hands free? Whether it's at the mall or the grocery store, it's so perfectly ideal. And, an extra set of hands if you're a hot mama? Sign me up! Just be sure to not go too enormous; you don't want to add weight in the hind section if you know what I mean. And, no need to wear it across your body all the time; it's totally in (and comfortable!) to wear it hanging from one shoulder.

Here are just a few I'm totally loving right now:

Lucky, Embroidered Sunset, $129.

Lulus, Little Brown Postal Purse, $26.50

Treesje Gypsy Platinum (also in Black), $198.00

The Sak, Pax Leather Foldover Flap Shoulder Bag, $77.99 (orig. $149)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnkey (other colors available), $158.

Steven by Steve Madden, BPal Convertible Cross-Body, $58.97 (reg. $97)

Trend: A Neutral Look

A totally refreshing Spring trend? NEUTRAL. It was seen all over the runways, from Alexander Wang to Acne, and is already now is in every one of our fave stores. Trust me, I was browsing the stores this weekend and I can't get enough of this total classic. If someone wants to call it a trend? Sure! The look is available at all price points so head to Forever 21 and H&M for trendy options, or hit up Nordstrom and Saks for pieces to last you forever.

For this 'trend,' try an all neutral look with a bold coral necklace (another color trend), wear a bright patterned dress with hot neutral heels, or just rock your khaki shorts with a neutral palette and killer wedges. The options are endless.

Lulus, Getaway Weekend Khaki Sweater Top, $41.00

Wear with wide-leg jeans and stacked heels, or styled as you see for a stroll on the beach.

Forever 21, Bubble Lace Dress, $27.80

Take a cue from this dress and pair ANY dress with a skinny brown belt.

Banana Republic, Patterned Stretch Pencil Skirt, $69.50

The perfect spring work skirt. Tuck in a shirt, leave one out and add a belt, pile on a blazer, the options are endless. (And, wait for Banana to have a 30% or 40% sale; it happens every few weeks).

Aldo, Nachod, $89.00

I want to wear these every day. Did see you see that back zipper?? Pair this with hot pink toes and a sexy bold dress for a totally irrisistable look.

Modcloth, Summer Will Come Dress, $77.99

The delicate boddice on this white and khaki stripe? Adore.

Until summer actually comes, rough up this with tights, knee-high boots and a jacket or cardy.

Free People, Lace Back Tee, $68.00

A semi-casual look on the front, a totally sexy look in the back? Trust me, the men will be drooling
(and the gals will be totally jealous of this fierce find).