Find of the Week: Oliver Gal on Hautelook

Okay, so my "Find of the Week" posts are usually about great vintage items I find on Etsy. However, this time I wanted to share something a bit more modern. Oliver Gal paintings are on sale at Hautelook until next Tuesday. These Miami gals create amazing fashion-focused art perfect for any glamour girl's bedroom. Check out the sale here and use my referral link to sign up and shop for a piece for your home or any other Hautelook sale. I would get a store credit, which is pretty awesome. Here is my referral code:

http://www.hautelook.com/invite/LGutierrez918

You can visit the Oliver Gal official website by going to www.olivergal.com.

Quick Pasta Salad

Okay, I have to confess that I really don't like to cook. There's a part of me that would love to whip up amazing meals and I have the bookmarked recipes and food magazines to prove it. It all comes down to time, however, and I usually don't want to take too much time to prepare a meal. I really want to get into the habit of utilizing leftovers in a different way. Instead of just reheating and reheating, I can use leftovers to create something else so I don't get so bored and give up on trying to cook. So after making tortellini for dinner (and by making, I mean boiling the tortellini and putting spaghetti sauce on it) I still had some leftover pasta and decided to make a pasta salad for lunch.

 Ingredients


  • Leftover pasta (refrigerated--I used tortellini)
  • Veggies of your choosing (I used carrots and broccoli because I'm picky lol)
  • Italian Dressing (NOT Creamy Italian!)


Tools Used

  • Cuisinart Food Processor
  • Bowl
  • Spoon


So, first I took the leftover pasta and dumped it into a bowl.


Then I grabbed a handful of baby carrots and a handful of broccoli florets and dumped them into the food processor. I could have picked about 3 baby carrots and 4 broccoli florets and called it a day. After pulsing the "chop" button, I ended up with A LOT of veggies!





 Scrape your veggie mix onto your pasta and use the spoon to mix it all up.


 Now drizzle the Italian dressing over your mixture and toss it with the spoon. Add a little at a time. Taste your yummy pasta salad after adding the dressing each time to make sure it's to your preference. I found about 3 drizzles was good enough for me. BON APPETIT!


Vintage Find of the Week: 1960's Powder Compact

Store: vintageeclecticity
From 

Vintage Makeup Powder Case, Ponds Mirror Compact, Light Blue Gold Roses & Crown Design $16.00 USD


You might love vintage makeup, but that doesn't mean purchasing old makeup is the best idea. Not only do you have germs to worry about, but the color match might be wrong. If you want to keep the compact as is for collecting purposes, that's fine--but you can remove the tray and add a powder, blush, or other makeup pan of your own.  At $16  this is a great deal and a great way to put a touch of vintage beauty into your collection.

A Skincare Routine for Dry Skin


I love to shop and I love to get people excited about makeup and skincare. So, whenever someone asks me to help them find a new makeup or skincare routine, I jump at the chance to do it. It's fun (because it's shopping, duh!) and it's rewarding because you help them solve a problem that was frustrating them and potentially affecting their self-esteem. I recently helped design a routine for a woman in her 20's that lives in a humid climate. Despite her location, she still has chronic dry skin. She had tried a variety of products from store-bought to spa lines and was not seeing the results she wanted. So, we went shopping! At her next facial appointment, her esthetician asked her what she was doing and commented on how much her skin improved--so these products are definitely worth checking out!


To Remove Makeup - Pond's Cold Cream $7.99 (& Washcloth)

I know cold creams are a controversial topic in the skincare world, but I am recommending what worked, not debating the origins of a product. Pond's Cold Cream dissolves makeup and features that classic scent. If you remove the makeup with a damp washcloth or larger cotton pads, you won't have to deal with a lot (or any) residue. You can omit this step if you want and perhaps try a cleansing oil or your favorite makeup removing wipe.

To Cleanse - Bliss Clog Dissolving Cleansing Milk $28

This cleanser has a light citrus scent and exfoliates without any harsh grains or useless "exfoliating beads". You never want to over-exfoliate though, so if you feel your skin starting to dry a bit you might need to cut  down and alternate with a super gentle cleanser like Cetaphil.

To Tone - Thayer's Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Toner $9.95

I'm pretty sure the price of this toner went up thanks to a new surge in popularity on Instagram. It smells wonderful and really balances your skin. If cleansing leaves your skin slightly dry, the glycerin in the toner will rehydrate it a little.


To Treat - First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Liquid Recovery "Serum" $38

I put the word serum in quotation marks because this product feels like water, yet it provides incredible hydration without any oily feeling. The effect is noticeable almost instantly. I would say even combination skins could give this a shot.

To Moisturize - Neutrogena Deep Moisture Day Cream with SPF 15 $11

The Neutrogena Deep Moisture creams are great for hydrating without a greasy feel. You can use the SPF version in the AM and the non-SPF version at night.


Intensive Treatment - Boscia Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask $34

A couple of times a week, or after a big dry spell, this sleeping mask is your secret weapon. Sleeping masks have been popular in Asia for quite awhile, and thanks to the advent of BB creams arriving in the West, we are slowly starting to see more of these magnificent skincare items make their way to North America. This mask from Boscia uses tsubaki (camellia) oil, a main ingredient in many Japanese skincare products. You rub the gel-like cream into your skin and get to bed. In the morning when you wake up, you will have baby soft skin.


***These are not affiliate links and I do not get paid to endorse these products. I'm just recommending what worked for a client.





photo credit: Mait Jüriado via photopin cc
photo credit: visit~fingerlakes via photopin cc




Vintage Find of the Week: Art Deco Makeup Jars

Store: The Birdcage Vintage




Art Deco Vanity Set - Powder and Cream Celluloid Jars - Vintage 1940s Frosted Glass Jars -- $55.22 USD

While this listing dates these jars to the 1940's, their Art Deco motif could easily make them pass for items from the 20's and 30's. With the success of  The Great Gatsby in theaters and plenty of 20's and 30's-inspired fashion on the runway, these glass and celluloid jars are on trend--but we don't really care about trends here now do we? These are a gorgeous addition to any vintage vanity and perfect for holding trinkets, small makeup items, or powder and cream as originally intended. If you pick these up, please let me know how you like them! For now, I will add these to my "Wishlish for My Vintage Vanity (That I Don't Have!)"




Shop Your Stash: Spring Makeup


I feel for those of you still suffering through this awful winter. I can't even imagine the stress and inconvenience storms like these bring. But I have good news: Spring is coming! Well, it will eventually. It is inevitable and therefore you can certainly start dreaming of warmer days ahead. Most importantly, you now get to plan your Spring makeup looks!

Before you reach for your wallet--I urge you to "shop your stash" and see the makeup you already own. While companies release gorgeous new collections every season, if you are strapped for cash the chance are you already have a color that reflects the current trend.

Seasonal makeup trends mimic the "feel" of the season. For example, holiday collections always up the glitter factor, and summer collections always have self-tanners and turquoise-colored shadows or liners. For Spring, collections are always full of soft pastels.


Spring Makeup

Eyes

Ditch the heavy liner and cat eye for a lightly defined eye with lots of mascara. Spring is all about looking fresh and young. The wide-eyed look will always be "in." If you use liquid liner, try using a long-lasting pencil liner instead; it gives a softer look. For your eyeshadow, lightly apply any of the following colors over the lid to brighten the eyes in a Spring-appropriate fashion: lilac, mint green, sky blue, light purple, baby pink

Face/Cheeks

Your skin should like fresh and cheeks should look rosy. It's time to move away from matte powders and thick foundations. Try using BB or CC creams, tinted moisturizer, or a light-coverage foundation to even out your complexion. Use concealer on any areas where you might need extra coverage. Unless you are oily, only powder your T-zone (nose, chin, forehead) to keep the rest of the face looking natural. On the cheeks, think of the following colors when looking through your cream blushes and powder blushes: coral, baby pink, soft rose, soft peach, and pinky-plum.

Lips

Lip gloss and tinted balms are a great alternative to lipstick in the spring time. Give your lips some moisture and color without having to worry about having a perfectly-defined lip. Spring lips should be fast and easy. Keep the formula simple and don't be afraid of shimmer! Some great colors for tinted balms, glosses, and sheer lipsticks are: bright pink, baby pink, rose red, pale rose, lavender-pink, coral, and light berry.


What are some of your favorite products for Spring?

Tress Stress--The Products I've Been Using to Save My Hair

Hello, lovely readers!

I hope those of you up north are staying warm. No matter where you are, you might appreciate this post if you're having hair troubles.

Painting by John William Waterhouse--One of my favorite artists!


 My hair has grown quite a bit lately. It's layered, but the longest point reaches the middle of my back. I want to grow out my layers, so I will be trimming it regularly until they all even out. I've found that layers in the back of the hair end up turning into a frizzy mess--at least for me. The lengths of my hair had gotten extremely dry, too. I don't know what happened. I could blame it all on stress and would probably be right on the money, but regardless of the cause, I had to do something about it.

I've collected quite a few hair oils and potions in attempt to rehydrate my ends without turning my oily roots into a bigger issue. For awhile, I was trying out Garnier's Pure Clean line--excellent for oily roots, but the rest of my hair (thick and slightly coarse) couldn't tolerate it. I've learned a lot about ingredients and how my body reacts to them in the many years I've been blogging and trying beauty products, so I know what to avoid.

My hair, much like my skin, hates silicone and all of its friends (like dimethicone).  Sulfates are no good for the hair either, so you might as well rule out any of those nasty chemicals if you want smooth tresses. After doing some research (I wanted drugstore haircare) I decided to give the Shea Moisture line of products a try.

I'm using: SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo & Conditioner; SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Extra Moisture Detangler

www.walgreens.com

This trio is amazing. The entire SheaMoisture line is Silicone, Sulfate and Paraben free. It's "free" of a lot of things, actually--just check out the label! SheaMoisture uses natural and certified organic ingredients. I've used raw shea butter before and it has a distinct smell that is present in all of these products. Unless you're extremely sensitive or NEED your hair to smell floral (or however most shampoos smell nowadays) the scent shouldn't be a problem.

Despite being sulfate-free there is still a good amount of lather so you feel like you are cleaning your hair. The conditioner is thick but not greasy (it sinks right into my ends) and the detangler has a nice, thick texture (great for controlling my crazy hair) and it helps detangle like a dream.



www.oliviagarden.com



Olivia Garden's 100% Boar Bristle brush is another great addition to my haircare arsenal. I use the DV-4 model, which is the one on the right. Much like the product promises, the handle's ergonomic design makes it a great fit in your hand and keeps you from putting too much pressure on the scalp. While boar bristle brushes (BBB) are often a cause for debate, after doing a bit of research at the Morocco Method website, I decided to give the BBB a try.

BBB's have always been recommended in beauty books. They're supposed to help distribute the natural oils from your scalp down through your ends. Your scalp's natural oils are the best moisturizer for your hair. If you have oily roots like me, experts have warned BBB's can actually exacerbate the problem. However, I've found that the BBB has kept too much oil from accumulating at the roots. I haven't even had to use dry shampoo as much as I had to in the past.

www.thebodyshop.com

One more thing I wanted to mention: I also went back to using my wooden detangling comb from The Body Shop. This comb is great for wet OR dry hair and it does not snag or snap the hair. I use this before I do my BBB routine for excellent results.

And the BEST thing about these products? They are ALL under $25!

What are some of your favorite haircare products?




Vintage Find of the Week: 1950's Kitchen Canisters


1950s Kitchen Canisters // Vintage Wood Dovetail Containers from 86Home


Price: $95
Era: 1950's

I love organizing. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out what to keep and what to get rid of (and where to put it) as well as knowing the zen that comes with a neat space. I think the kitchen is an overlooked area when it comes to organization. Usually, people focus on bedrooms and closets; but the amount of items in one's kitchen can easily multiply and then take over your space.

With this cute little set, you can keep basic items on hand and save the hassle of messy paper bags (seriously, people need to redesign the bags flour comes in). The price isn't too bad considering the era and condition of the canisters. Sure, you could buy a few Mason Jars and call it a day, but if you want to add some 50's kitsch to your kitchen, and keep things in order, this set would be perfect.

Best & Worst: Drugstore Liquid Eyeliner

 THE WORST - Wet n' Wild H20 Proof Liner

Internet, I don't get it. This Wet n' Wild liner gets so much hype. Even professional makeup artists rave about this stuff in makeup forums--WHY?! I really don't like giving negative reviews, but I figured perhaps someone could let me in on the secret as to why everyone loves this so much.

I have oily skin, and I use MAC Paint Pots or NARS Eyeshadow Primer (seriously the best) to control that. But, no matter how I prime my lids, this liner melts off all over my eyes by midday. I mean total, complete meltdown. It runs under my eyes and it "stamps" onto my crease/socket. Hot. Mess. City. 

So, who can enlighten me? Bueller? Bueller?

BEST - Rimmel Glam' Eyes Precise Design Liquid Eyeliner


This eyeliner was an unexpected find. I had run out of my trusty Kat Von D Tattoo liner and wanted a cheaper alternative. While the application is different (this is a brush while the Kat Von D liner is a felt tip pen) the longevity is the same. This liner has a slightly glossy finish once it dries, but it stays on and doesn't flake off.

The one thing I find might be an issue is the product's dry down. You can feel a slight tightening as it dries. It isn't bothersome by any means, but I feel it, and I know a lot of people have very sensitive eyes. Just wanted to give you all a heads up!

What are your drugstore hits and misses when it comes to liquid liner?


Fun at the Zoo!




I hadn't been to what is now known as Zoo Miami (it used to be called Miami Metro Zoo) since I was a little girl; pre-Hurricane Andrew.

For you non-Floridians (or maybe those of you too young to remember) Hurricane Andrew was a Category 5 hurricane that completely leveled most of southern Florida and the zoo.


Since we're currently having a "cold front" here in Florida, my boyfriend and I figured it would be the perfect time to visit.

In the summer time it's so hot even the animals are lethargic and seek the shade to escape the boiling temperatures. On Saturday, it was a nice 65 degrees or so and all of the creatures came out to play.


We got to the zoo around 2:30 and didn't make it all the way around before the park had to close. Zoo Miami starts to close down at 5:00pm, but it's massive! If you want to see it all you might want to go earlier. We're considering an annual membership, since it comes down to about $30 per adult if you choose the "Two Named Adults" option. We only have about a week or so to decide. I would definitely like to return and see everything we missed.

I plan to write some "A Day in the Life" entries every now and then just so you get to know me a bit better.  I really want to connect with all of you. Let me know what you think!


My Golden Globes Style Icon: Olivia Wilde

I'm not too much a fan of these kinds of posts. It's almost as if bloggers are required to talk about awards shows. I promise not to talk about anything I'm not sincere about, but I had to mention Olivia Wilde. She either has amazing taste, a wonderful stylist, or both; but Olivia Wilde is my favorite on the Golden Globes Red Carpet. She always wears the most gorgeous dresses. They are always different, but somehow seem to match her personality no matter the style or color. Let's take a look...

Here she is in her emerald glory (and a lovely bump) at last night's Golden Globes. What a stunning gown by Gucci! See, ladies? You can still look sexy without showing off everything you've got--even when you are pregnant!


I love Ms. Wilde's sense of style. A few years ago, she attended the 2011 Golden Globes in what has become my favorite "awards show dress" ever. 


There she is, wearing a dress by Marchesa that reminds me of a galaxy of millions of glittering stars. Do I really need to elaborate on how stunning this dress is? I just can't get over it. Even my mother knows what I refer to when I mention "the dress." Just wow...


Ms. Wilde wore this lavender Reem Acra gown at the 2009 globes. I believe this look received mixed reviews from the "fashion police" but I found it to be very feminine and fun. I can't wait to see what she will wear to the Oscars if she attends the ceremony.

Who is your favorite Golden Globe style icon?



Throwback Thursday Link Love: Vintage Powder Room

I guess anything on a vintage blog would be a throwback, huh? (Wow, that is extremely lame.) Anywho, I wanted to start showing you all some of my favorite vintage blogs to read. While I do want Floor 9 to have a bit of a vintage feel, it's not the blog's only focus. There are bloggers out there that are EXPERTS when it comes to anything and everything vintage. Vintage Powder Room is one of them.

Click here to check out a great article about vintage hairnets (that's where the lovely photo above comes from). Ms. Joan Renner's blog is an absolute must. Enjoy!

Tutorial: Nails Like Dita


Check out one of my most popular posts from a few years back. I tell you everything you need to know to get the Dita Von Teese nail look. Don't forget to pin!

Click here for the post!

Shopping Guide: Walt Disney World

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Did you know there are plenty of spots for beauty lovers to check out in the House of Mouse? I know makeup and perfume are probably the last things that come to your mind when you think of Walt Disney World, but if you look close enough, there's a bit of Disney magic for you too. Here is my guide to beauty products at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL.

Last Updated: 01/3/14

***=This pavilion has an item made exclusively for the park and/or an item you can only find there. Ask a cast member!

Please, leave any info or items I might have left out in the comments! I believe some of the hotels sell products but I am not sure.

Check out my very first shopping guide on Dita Von Teese here!


EPCOT World Showcase

France Pavilion - Guerlain Fragrances and Makeup, Givenchy Fragrances ***

Italy Pavilion - Bvlgari Fragrances, Prada Fragrances, Acqua di Parma Fragrances***

Norway Pavilion - Laila Eau de Parfum by Geir, Geir Cologne (for Men)

Morocco Pavilion - Amla Hair Products

Japan Pavilion - Sana Nameraka Skincare, Shiseido Haircare (Drugstore equivalent), Camellia Oil


Downtown Disney Marketplace

Basin- Natural soaps, scrubs and lotions. Think a smaller scale "Lush" with "Bath & Body Works" scents. Check out their website here.

Tren-D & World of Disney - You will find the Beautifully Disney makeup collection, which you can take a look at by clicking here. It is very tempting! However, don't confuse Beautifully Disney with the collections put out by Sephora and e.l.f. --they are not the same.

Vintage Find of the Week: Chanel Silk Scarf



Chanel Vintage Scarf from Couture Arabesque

I love Chanel. You can keep your Louis, ladies, I'm all about Mlle. Chanel's style when it comes to luxury. When you throw the word "vintage" in front of Chanel you can't get more elegant than that!

This beautiful scarf will set you back $165.

But, um, 1990's is already considered vintage? Yikes! I'm old.


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