Every Girl Loves Shoes....Right?

I admittedly am not much of a shoe girl...shocking, I know!  I don't own a huge variety of shoes but oddly enough, I love to browse online to look at cool fashionable styles.  Sea of Shoes is a blog that I really like when I want to see the artsy side of shoe design as she always showcases some WICKED pairs.

Through her site, I came across Jildore Shoes where one can feast their eyes on Stuart Weitzman, Sam Edelman, Havaiana, Jeffrey Campbell, and many more.  

Here are some pairs that caught my eye:

Charles Philip Shanghai

Shelia Loafer Bright Blue Leopard Satin

Sperry Top-Sider Women's

Bahama White Sequin

Kate Spade

Charm Slingback Pump Ivory Glitter

Jeffrey Campbell

Prickly Platform Pump Black Leather

B Brian Atwood

Campisa Evening Sandal Gold Snake/Black Suede

Steve Madden Shoes

Studlyy Loafer Gold Glitter Fabric

So these are all pairs that stood out to me!  What about you, are you a shoe fiend?  Which pairs on the Jildore site do you covet?

Hump Day Hotties - Eyecandy Wednesdays (Greek Hotties)

Greek men are notoriously hot, come on, they are the literal stuff of legends/mythology (Adonis, anyone?)   Enjoy, I know I did ;)

Marios Lekkas

John Stamos

Theo Theodoridis

Mostas Martakis

So, clearly I need to move to Greece!  Who's with me?

Who are some hotties that you'd like to see on future lists?   (For previous hump day hotties posts, click here)

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The French Girl - Beauty AND Brains Series

I really thoroughly enjoyed reading "The French Girl"  and getting to know Etoile, the 11 year old protagonist. I was a nanny for an 11 year old and it was very easy to see the world through their eyes and mentality. Sometimes when books are written from a younger perspective, the author doesn't convey the mentality of a child correctly and slips adult behaviors and thoughts in that THEY would have instead of focusing on what the child would know/think at that age. THIS book didn't do any of that and didn't jar me out of the mindset like some have.

Even though it was told from a child's point of view, it was done in a way that adults no doubt will find intriguing and captivating.  Etoile's mother is neglectful and wasting away after the death of her husband, her sister is trying to keep things together and provide for them so that they don't end up in foster care, and Etoile is just going along as a child, not really grasping what is going on around her until her Mother dies and her sister is detained as the possible killer. 

Etoile's world is of course turned upside down and she is sent to live with a cousin who welcomes her in warmly to live with her and her "friend" who is really her lesbian lover.  What constitutes as a family is put to the test when the state tries to take her away from their living environment even though she is thriving much more than when she was at home, all because these two women couldn't possibly be a loving example. 

It's funny, heartbreaking, warm, and engaging, total thumbs up!

The author's writing style was fabulous because she could really paint the picture of a scene and people's personas so that you felt like you were there and knew these folks. I appreciated the quality writing very much, each character came alive!  It was easy to visualize the crusty bread, quaint decor of the house, people's looks and expressions...well done without being overdrawn.

I truly loved most of the characters and was sad to put the story down; I could live in their world for ages. I want to see Etoile grow up and find out what comes of her wild sister. It was such a delight to read.

If the author wrote more books like this, I'd soak them all in too!

Available on Amazon for $2.99

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HAIRSPRAY! You Can't Stop the Beat

BFF Ashley and I dressed up and went to see HAIRSPRAY the Broadway show at Drury Lane Theater last night in Oak Brook.  It was SO much fun!  I have always adored live performances and cute musicals with HAIRSPRAY being one of my favorite movies so I knew that it would be totally cool to see it live.  They did not disappoint!

The cast was funny and fit the roles very well, the set was colorful and 60s kitsch, and the songs made you bop along with them.  We were all giggling and singing, clapping and snapping.  Bravo!

HAIRSPRAY—Lillian Castillo, Michael Lindner, Felicia Fields

L to R: Lillian Castillo (“Tracy Turnblad”), Michael Lindner (“Edna Turnblad”) and Felicia Fields (“Motormouth Maybelle”) star in the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, now playing through June 17 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. For reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111, call TicketMaster at 800.745.3000, or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

BRETT BEINER PHOTOGRAPHY

HAIRSPRAY—Rod Thomas and cast

Rod Thomas stars as “Corny Collins” in the Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, now playing through June 17 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. For reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111, call TicketMaster at 800.745.3000, or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

BRETT BEINER PHOTOGRAPHY

HAIRSPRAY—Tim Kazurinsky and Michael Lindner 2

L to R: Tim Kazurinsky (“Wilbur Turnblad”) and Michael Lindner (“Edna Turnblad”) star in the Tony Award-winning musical, HAIRSPRAY, now playing through June 17 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. For reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111, call TicketMaster at 800.745.3000, or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

BRETT BEINER PHOTOGRAPHY

Any of you in the Chicago area who'd like to go, you can receive $5 off by using the code 5off at www.ticketmaster.com.  The show goes through June 17th :) 

About the production:

The critics are raving that HAIRSPRAY is “A Broadway sized affair, replete with a cast of 33.  A rockin’ good time!” (The Chicago Tribune); “A jubilant production…an infectiously funny, irresistible, talent-filled revival! (Chicago Sun-Times); and “A high spirited crowd pleaser!  A great ensemble of triple threats.  Full throated singing, full throttle dancing, and flat out funny comic acting!” (Chicago Reader). Set in 1960’s Baltimore, HAIRSPRAY is the exuberant story of big-hearted, pleasantly plump teen Tracy Turnblad, who does whatever it takes to fulfill her lifelong dream of appearing on the popular Corny Collins Show. Can this plus-size trendsetter vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of handsome Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her fabulous 'do?  This feel-good musical is a glorious celebration of following dreams and standing up for what’s right.

Have you ever seen HAIRSPRAY in any form? 

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RIP Donna Summer - Here's to One "Last Dance"

:(  I was gutted to learn that Donna Summer died this morning; I didn't even know that she was sick!  I just gave tribute to her in February for my 28 Days of Black Beauty series and can't believe that now she is gone. Cancer is such a bitch, I hope that she did not suffer.

All of my entertainment favorites are dying; I hate that I have an affinity for 80s, 70s, 60s music :(  They haven't been that old, that's the horrid part!  Donna was just 63, Michael Jackson was about to be 51, Whitney Houston was like 49, Luther Vandross was 54.  WAY BEFORE THEIR TIME.  :(

Here's a tribute to the Queen of Disco:  Pics and Videos

Last Dance

She Works Hard For the Money

I'm So Excited

Hot Stuff

Here's the looks that I did on my BFF Ashley as Donna Summer for the 28 Days of Black Beauty series:

Products used: 

Urban Decay Perversion eyeshadow (matte black)

NYX candy glitter liner in  Gold 

MAC Gold Deposit on cheeks as highlighter

Bite lip pencil in Pomegranate

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet foundation in Caramel

RIP Donna, we love you and will miss your presence.

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Hump Day Hotties - Better Late Than Never; They're Still Humpable!

Sorry ya'll, I thought that I'd scheduled the Hump Day Hotties post to go live this morning but I didn't and was at work all day so didn't have a chance to publish it.  Enjoy the hotties, even better late at night anyway for some SWEEEEEET dreams ;)

Kenneth Guidroz

Jae Yoo

Rael Costa

DANIEL GAROFALI

Who are some hotties that you'd like to see on future lists?   (For previous hump day hotties posts, click here)

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On My Way to Clear Skin - Ambi Even & Clear

My skin and I have always been at odds over how it should behave: it likes to throw confetti acne parties all over and then not clean up after itself, leaving behind dark spots and blemishes while I'm the more anal retentive landlord who wants a squeaky clean spotless living area. 

What's a girl to do?  I decided to try Ambi Even & Clear products since it's formulated for "skin of color" and I've heard good things.  Each morning I've been washing my face with the foaming cleanser, applying a bit of fade cream, and then following up with the spf 30 moisturizer. 

A couple of weeks ago, my skin was acting UP, so it was the perfect time to start and test the Johnson & Johnson products fully.  I'd been naughty about fully cleaning my face before bed + stress + hormones + normal dark spots from past acne had me looking a wreck, lol. 

Here's my skin before using the products:

ahhhhhhhhhhhh!  Sorry to scare you so early in the morning with that :P

Then I used the products in the morning for 2 weeks and have noticed some lightening of discoloration and less bumps:

Am I completely cleared up?  No, but it hasn't even been a month of use so I had no hopes of a miracle product.  Some bumps have gone away and the dark spots don't seem as prominent, so all is not lost it seems! 

The experts in skin of color, brings you a skin care regimen to help you achieve flawless skin. Use AMBI®’s Even and Clear Foaming Cleanser to help clear breakouts and reduce dark marks. Follow with Even & Clear Daily Moisturizer, so skin will look even and smooth. And AMBI®’s #1rated Fade Cream, diminishes dark spots and discoloration, for a beautiful and natural skin tone.

The main active ingredients in the products are vitamins A & E, salicylic acid, and hyrdoquinone.  My only gripe is with the smell, I really don't like it!  It's like a sweet floral or something; I'm SO not a fan.  Other than THAT, which is a personal thing anyway because someone else may LOVE the smell, they worked pretty good and I'll still keep them on deck to try out. 

Compensation was provided by AMBI® via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of AMBI®.

Weekend Beauty and Entertainment Youtube Roundup

Here are the beauty and entertainment vids for this week!  Enjoy

Smokey Eye

Ruby Kisses

Lessons: Contouring, Blush and Bronzing

Katy Perry's E.T Music Videos Alien/Deer Make-up

and the entertainment, lol

FIVE FINGER DISCOUNT

Have a good weekend my loves!