Mazie's Method

This is my makeup bag.  Please say hello to it.  Inside I recently changed all of my products because of the chemical article I read and posted about last week.  Inside currently live mostly Origins and Bare Escentuals products.  I also got some goodies at Sephora.   Sometimes I like pressed powder.  This is the one I now use.  Silk Screen is an amazing powder.

I love the way it goes on and the coverage it gives is not cake-y.  For mascara, I use Fringe Benefits also from Origins.  With the Underwear for Lashes it works very well and when I wash my face at night or use the makeup remover wipes it comes off immediately.  No chemicals in there to harm my tender eyes and lashes.  My skin has been feeling so much differently since I switched all my products over.. it even looks better.  I’d say I am glowing.

For years, my eyeshadows have been bare Minerals.  I have been a faithful Leslie Blodgett follower since 1994 when my mother was in California and sent me a care package of makeup that was supposed to be good for my skin.  Something I had never heard of, but with horrible acne prone skin, it sounded like a dream come true.  It was.  I have turned on so many people to this product when it was just on QVC and not even in stores.  Now it is readily available and people understand the goodness of BE.  Wish I got a kick back for it

I have a blush and bronzer from both companies.  I have different colors for my different moods.  I like to be warmed up a bit in the Spring and Summer with the bronzer and just show my pinky-white skin in the Fall and Winter.  I don’t generally do much with the powders because I like to let my skin breathe and these definitely do the job.  My eyebrows are very light and starting to turn white with the rest of my hair, so I use the Bare Escentuals Essential Brow Color.  That with a sweet tiny eyebrow brush and my eyes look a whole lot more seductive!  Add a pop of eyeliner from Automatically Pencil and I am off and ready to go out!

What makeup do you use?

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-Fanny

So, I was thinking about my maternity wardrobe the other day and how it is so hard to find things that are for plus size preggers.  I realized that most of my pre-pregnancy stuff still fits me, even in my third trimester.  Some are getting a bit short in the front for obvious reasons.  All of my Rachel Pally dresses, most of my Anna Scholz and some Olivia Harper’s from La Grande Dame, and Lee Lee’s Valise that I have picked up over the years still work.  The wrap dress that Lisa Dolan is famous for bringing to the plus size fashionista.  She is referred to as the DVF of the plus size wrap dress!  While I was already knocked up and before I found out, I had picked up my Monif C. Marilyn convertible dress.  It has definitely proved it’s worth with these last few months and all the parties I have been attending.

So it led me to think that some designers get it.  Maybe they realize that there are no adorable clothes for plus size preggers and that they design their clothing for women who are and they can still be fabulous and chic through the entire pregnancy.  When I was still working from April to June after we got word of the bun in the oven, the daily wardrobe consisted of dresses.  Lots of dresses.  There are no plus size maternity Spanx, so I got my thinking cap on and went to work getting me some bike shorts.  They were super soft and caused me to sweat less, (gross, I know) but they made working and hiking up the four flights of steps to my un-air conditioned classroom a bit less painful.

So I ask you ladies, do you think I may be uncovering a little secret that the designers don’t really want us to know about.  If I were a high end designer, I would totally be creating a plus size maternity wardrobe.  Why not?  Don’t you want to look great as a plus size pregnant woman?  I happen to love the hunt for an item, but I know a lot of women don’t.  Why don’t the designers realize that also?  I think some of them do!

Shop ‘Till Your Amex Cries!

-Fanny

I am longing for fall.  We got a few cool days here in NYC and it gave me a tease.  The leaves, the crisp air, the ability to keep my windows open through the house and have a breeze that causes me to sit in a sweater!  I have been searching through the new fall collections and I am going to preview my favorites for you!  I guess this will be a wish list of sorts since I have started making my birthday list.  They kind of go hand in hand!

First, we need to start at the feet and get an awesome pair of boots.  I have my eyes on these Nine West beauties named Cleeo on Zappos.  Grey goes with everything and I adore the little heel since we know of my inability to stay upright in heels!  I love booties like this because it gives me a bit of height and allows me to have the feature of a boot.  I love a good fall boot!

Secondly, we need a beautiful pair of jeans.  I am personally in love with the trouser style jean because it makes me feel polished and will also be a great item you can have in the closet for work.  Lafayette 148 has a beautiful denim trouser that is my idea of a perfect jean.  I have about 6 pairs of these from the Gap from last season all bought on sale.  I hope I can fit into them post baby!  They are worn in and perfect.  They fit like a glove.

Third, on top of the jeans, I need a beautiful cashmere duster.  The Cashmere collection from Bloomingdale’s makes me smile.  I love the Cherry Cola color.  It makes me giggle it is so beautiful!  I always feel so safe when I am wrapped in cashmere.  It is never something that would ever not be in my closet.  The best part of Cashmere is you can get it on any budget.  Just make sure it is super soft against your skin!

Fourth, another goody from Bloomie’s is a Jules Oversized Silk Blouse.  It is such a gorgeous blouse and I would love having this in my closet to put under my cashmere duster.  Who wouldn’t want to be wrapped in luxury this way?

Fifth, Nordstrom has a Michael Kors Double Zip blazer… In black, it is perfect for all seasons.  It is so sassy and will keep you feeling great all day long.  I would pair it with some skinny jeans or the denim trousers with some super funky t-shirt and lots of bracelets.

Sixth, Saks has an Elie Tahari Chain Necklace that is on my wish list also.  This necklace is so hot and it would look great with a white button down shirt or a black shift dress or it would also work with a t-shirt under the blazer!

Seventh, we all know how much I love Anna Scholz, and this dress is so beautiful for the Fall.  La Grande Dame has this dress and I keep eyeing it for the Christening in the Spring.  It would also work well with the Elie Tahari necklace and the Michael Kors Blazer.

Eighth, another goody for the Fall and the Winter events is a David Meister Sequined Tunic Dress is the perfect dress for holidays and events.  I would totally rock this at a wedding or New Year’s Eve, even in my house.  A nice cocktail party with some heels and amazing earrings.

Ninth, Everyone needs a beautiful sweet soft scarf to wear in the cooler weather.  I love to pair it with a cashmere sweater and my jeans!  I wear one all the time, as soon as there is a slight chill in the air, out comes my collection of scarves!

Last, I would need an anorak for the days when there is a soft rain.  This Gallery Reversible Anorak is adorable and will be super lightweight for wear over your fall sweaters!

Ok, one more for a bonus, who wants a beautiful new bag this Fall?  I do I do!  Coach has an Embossed Croc Maggie.  It’s just divine and it’s a beautiful purple color that is longing to live in my closet and hang on my shoulder.

What are you looking at for Fall?

Shop ‘Till Your Amex Cries!

-Fanny