The Resurrection of Chasing Beauty

Instagram Mini Moments from the past six months.

I bet, you thought you'd never hear from me again. That possibly, I dropped off the planet, and completely abandoned this blog?  Well, it has been a while, but Chasing Beauty has never been far from my mind. Although I haven't been active here, I've still been interacting with all of my bloggy friends. You see,  a little app called Instagram has completely reignited my love for blogging, and reminded me of the community that I had been missing!   For the past few months now, I've been quietly plotting my return, and a total reboot of Chasing Beauty! Version 2.0 isn't quite ready yet, and probably won't be until Summer, but I wanted to let you all know that it's coming!  I also wanted to keep you posted on where you find me in the meantime. 

Recently, I teamed up with Jamie (of glamlatte.com) and Mel (of modanistajunkie.com), otherwise known as The Wear To Go Girls. In case you are just hearing about WTGG for the first time, Jamie and Mel have created a really fun website, to find out where to go shop, eat, drink, get pampered, socialize and what to wear to go! They are featuring weekly hair and makeup "how to's," and guess who's doing the makeup tutorials? 

ME!!! 

Check out my Individual false lash tutorial HERE, and keep checking back for more hair and makeup tips!

You can also follow me on:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram: on the actual app my user is @chasingbeauty

I'll be posting here too, just not as frequently as I had before, but stay tuned. There's exciting things to come!

xoxo,

Bren

My Favorite Things from Christmas 2010

Even though Christmas seems like a distant memory, I'm still loving some of the gifts that I received.   Here are my favorite new obsessions from Christmas 2010:

Apple TV

Apple TV is in one word,  AMAZING! With a very small footprint, it provides the ability to stream movie rentals from iTunes and Netflix, directly to your tv! Previously, I'd have to watch on my laptop or iphone. But now, I'm streaming HD movies directly to my nice, big flat screen! You can also access YouTube, Podcasts, MobileMe, Flickr, as well your entire iTunes music library. The best part was how easy it was to set up! Seriously, in 5 minutes flat I was up and running!

Le Mer Collections Watch

Although I put this watch prominently on my list, I sort of knew that my family wouldn't go to the trouble to order it. So, this was actually a Christmas present to myself. :) Valerie of  Red Vines for Breakfast owns this watch, and ever since drooling over her's in person, I knew that I had to have one . Now I do!

Sabon NYC - Rose Tea

Everytime I travel to NYC, I always make a point to stop in Sabon. Upon entering the boutique, you're always asked, "have you been here before?" I usually play dumb say no, and then I'm escorted to a round sink where I can try out their various scrubs, lotions and potions.  I'm always amazed at how moisturized my skin feels afterward, and how long that moisturization lasts! But each trip I come home empty handed, due to the lack of space in my luggage. I leave the store telling myself that I'll just order it, but I never do...until now! (Yes, another present to myself) I'm completely obsessed with the Rose Tea scent of the scrub and body lotion, and this combo came just in time to treat my dry Winter skin!

Steven by Steve Madden Sequin Box Clutch

This was a present from my Dad. Even though this glitzy number was on my Christmas list, apparently I had forgotten to note which color I'd like, and there were several to choose from! My Dad took a guess, and he guessed right! This was exactly the bag that I had been wanting, to complete my NYE ensemble! It was perfect!

Kate Spade Lady Marmalade Small Bracelet

Speaking of NYE, this bracelet alone made my outfit feel much more fancy! It's so sparkly, yet I can easily pair it with my Michael Kors watch to make it more casual. This picture doesn't do it justice!

American Eagle Solid Leggings

These are my new favorite leggings! After throwing out several pairs of Massimo's that were falling apart at the seams, I was in desperate need of some replacements! One day I was in a hurry and American Eagle was close, so I ran in an grabbed a pair of their black leggings.  So far, I've been really impressed by the quality as they seem to hold up really well. I was so happy that my Mom bought me two more pairs! I have them in black, but they're no longer available online (only Army Green). If you're lucky enough, you might find them in stores. Sadly, my local stores are all out of my size. :(

Cookie Dough Scoop

This was suppose to be in my stocking, but I asked Santa to make an exception and bring it a little early. ;) (Especially since I was to be in full baking mode the week of Christmas)  A cookie dough scoop is the trick to maintaining that uniform size, resulting in a professional looking cookie. This really came in handy for my chocolate crinkle cookies that I make every year!

What were some of your favorite gifts of Christmas 2010?

Halloween Time

If you follow my twitter, then you already know that I didn't get to do anything Halloween-y this past weekend. Instead of costume parties and trick-or-treating with my nephews, I was doing laundry, packing and catching the red-eye. But, don't feel too sorry for me...I'm in NYC!!! As excited as I am to be in the city that I love, it was a little sad missing all of the festivities. I didn't even realize how much it bothered me, until I was sitting on the tarmac getting ready to take off. Fortunately, I had a day off last week and took full advantage by doing one of my favorite Halloween activities...Disneyland!!! With pumpkin spice lattes in tow, my friend and I hit all of the attractions that get revised just for the holiday season.

Main Street was extra special, all decked out in fall colors, with a giant Mickey shaped pumpkin.

Whenever I need a little dose of the Magic Kingdom, I can always count on my friend Tree, to roam the park with me.

I love when the Haunted Mansion turns into The Nightmare Before Christmas!

The past couple of years there's been a freaky ghost that follows you through Space Mountain! For some reason, this added element actually makes the ride seem faster!

 

Throughout the Halloween season, all of the characters dress up in costumes. So cute!

I usually instigate a few more cheesy pictures before the day is over.

Lipstick colors:  Tree wearing MAC-Girl On The Town  Me wearing Kate Spade-The Perfect Red

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

Now I'm Really Twirling

I mentioned here, that I've been completely taken with Twirl. So, as quickly as my sample ran out, I marched myself into the nearest Kate Spade store to purchase a real bottle. Along with my new favorite scent, a couple of other things made it into my bag! :D

 

First of all, I'm dying for the pink and red packaging! I know I've said before, that pink and red is my favorite color combo, but add gold to the mix and I'm extra happy! I couldn't wait to give myself a little spritz, and upon opening the box, I saw this.

So fun!

 

I bought the smaller size because I normally don't wear a lot of fragrance, but now wish I would've gone big! I love it that much!

 

Something happened to me this year, as I've become increasingly addicted to cocktail rings. Once I laid eyes on this little pretty, there was no way that I was leaving it behind! 

 

I couldn't escape the store without trying on "the perfect red" lipstick, and to see if it truly was perfect. And, guess what...it was!

The retro gold case makes putting on lipstick so much more glamorous! I can't wait to pull this out of my vintage black clutch!

Kate Spade got it right, with the exact blue/orange ratio that meets in the middle. This "perfect red" is universally flattering on every skin tone!

If you're at all apprehensive about wearing red lipstick, this is the one to try!

I Like to Twirl

I've been looking for a new Fall fragrance, and I think I may have found it in Kate Spade's newest addition, Twirl!

The packaging alone made me want to buy it , but I've learned my lesson. Too many bottles have gone wasted because some scents give me headaches. So now, I always get a sample if available, and give the scent a proper test drive.  Well, it's been almost a week and  I keep reaching for the sample! I think we have a winner! I love that Twirl is a little sweet (not in a juvenile way), with a bit of sophistication. 

Here's what the website says about it:

Introducing twirl by kate spade new york. We've infused our celebratory new fragrance with a dash of joie de vivre- perfect for colorful days and cocktail soirees.

• captivating day-to-night fragrance
• pink watermelon mingles with blackberry and red currant
• enhanced with a heart of fresh flowers including orange blossom, star jasmine, tiare flower and sweet magnolia
• finished with luminous musks and a touch of french macaroon (straight from the patisserie, of course) 

In addition to Twirl the fragrance, there's also a whole Twirl collection, that includes sequins, baubles, bows, and even the perfect red lipstick! Everything a girl needs to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. (I can't believe I just said that!) Check out the video that screams New Year's Eve!

What scent will you be wearing this Fall/Winter?

Inspiration: Fall Makeup-Chanel Ad

The second  I saw this ad for Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara, I was mesmerized! After spending the Summer in bright corals and bronze tones, this pink and grey combo looks so fresh. I'm loving the meticulous liner, lashes and brows, and the absence of any shine or shimmer. It's matte, but matte done right! The rose colored blush and barely there, pale pink lip compliments this polished eye perfectly. I love that you can see the precision used in the application. Flawless!

When I picked up the newest issue of Allure, lo and behold, Blake Livey is on the cover wearing a very similar version of this look.

So pretty!

How will you be changing up your makeup look for Fall?

Back to School Beauty

When I was at Rite Aid, getting my weekly ice cream cone (it's a Summertime thing), I couldn't help but notice all of the back to school stuff. I remember being so excited for the new school year to start, and getting all of my supplies in order. Of course, there were new clothes, notebooks filled with college ruled paper,  and plenty of No. 2 pencils. But the best shopping of all, was for back to school beauty products! I'm amazed at how many of my favorites from years ago, are still around. Some of them I still use!

Here are the products I'm feeling especially nostalgic about:

Neutrogena Original Facial Bar

My routine was so simple back then. Wash and moisturize. The smell of this bar immediately takes me back to high school.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

So basic, and was perfect for my young skin. I don't remember buying many full sizes bottles though. They would always include a trial size in the Gift with Purchase, and I LOVED the GWP! :) 

Maybelline Great Lash

The classic pink and green tube is still with me today.

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Black Honey

When I first started wearing this, it was packaged in a pot, and I was in the 7th grade. Now Clinique makes all sorts of black honey items, including nail polish. But my favorite, is still this gorgeous, sheer berry gloss. I carry this, and the Almost Lipstick version in my kit everyday.

Nivea Creamy Conditioning Oil

This stuff was the best! A cross between a lotion and an oil, it moisturized and gave a slight sheen to the skin. I haven't seen it in stores in a really long time, so it appears it's no longer available. :(

Love's Baby Soft

Scents truly do trigger memories, and  this was the very first fragrance that I ever became attached to.  Love's Baby Soft reminds me of mornings spent primping for school, reading Teen and Seventeen magazines, and my first crush. I still love how innocent and girly it smells. Is it weird that I kind want a bottle?

What products were your favorites when you were young?

 

Girl's Night Out-fit

This weekend, one of my bff's is putting another candle on her birthday cake. We're planning a fab girl's night out, which requires a Girl's Night Out-fit!  Here's what I'm thinking...

Tee - Alexander Wang

Skirt - Anthropologie

Clutch - L.A.M.B.

Shoes - Forever 21

Necklace - Forever 21

Midnight Ring - Banana Republic

Lion's Head Ring - Banana Republic

Link Bracelet - Ralph Lauren

Watch - Michael Kors

Crystal Bracelet - Banana Republic

I just love my new lion ring! 

  These F21 platform mary janes are the exact shape of the Miu Miu Sparrow shoes that I was lusting over in the Spring, and yes they're missing the sparrows, but they were $25!

I still like my MK watch, but I'm starting to feel like it's the Tiffany heart bracelet of '09-'10. Everyone has it! Maybe it's time to shake things up with a new tank watch, or one with a classic leather band?

And here's the big question...What color should I paint my nails?! Right now I'm wearing a bright pink. If I leave them, then I'll probably do my makeup like this...

(good makeup day, but horrible hair day)

What do you think? I'm totally open to suggestions.