Wear makeup and heels

My progress towards my Style Resolutions has picked up again.

I have been rather disciplined about my 7a Pilates class on Tuesday and picked up some new makeup from MAC. Also bought a couple of blouses from H&M in camera-friendly colors. And before I forget -- I bought a couple of pairs of new shoes.

I find that whenever I want to dress up my look the two things that make the biggest impact are makeup and heels.

And that's what I most need style-wise -- small items with big impact.

Fashion is about experimentation and I realize that I need to do more of that. I also realize that I don' t like to "fuss." I don't need five hours to get ready for a party nor do I want to take that much time to do so. I like to look good and be out the bathroom door in five minutes as a I a toddler waiting right outside the door to get a hug.

A New Day

I was in a bad bad mood yesterday. Very bad.

I would like to say that I woke up on the right side of the bed this morning, however, my toddler son spent most of the night curled up in the middle of my bed after a failed pillow-hijacking attempt. So to answer that first part: No, I didn't sleep very well nor did I wake up on the right side of the bed.

I scurried into the shower shortly after his dad whisked him away in anticipation of trying a few goodies I had picked up yesterday from the Body Shop.

I am not a fan of the Body Shop as I don't think their products are quite worth the money, but I do have some sort of nostalgia for the place. I remember cooing over their products in high school and even worked at a local store during the summer.

Still, I found myself in a nearby store while killing time on my lunch break. I figured that trying a new scent would deliver a quick pick me up. It did.

The products weren't any better than what I could have found in the drugstore but I took advantage of a fairly decent sale and also nabbed a free body cleanser. I'm already looking forward to taking my next shower tomorrow morning, if not tonight.

New developments

I have been rather busy as of late launching a couple of new projects. I should be more open, I suppose, but I am a bit superstitious. Will share more once I'm up and running.

Let's focus instead on my 2009 Resolutions as this quarter is coming to a close.

I am hoping to use some of my tax refund to update my wardrobe. I have a long shopping list but am planning to prioritize my purchases as most of that money is going towards paying off past purchases, i.e. my credit cards.

I should probably finish cleaning out my closet before I go shopping as I can better see what holes I need to fill. Waiting until after would also me to see if I can match some old treasures with new finds, but my closet pretty much needs an overhaul. So I will start on that this week.

I have to pat myself on the back for standing by my decision to go natural, ignoring the temptation to relax, relax, relax.

Haven't done the makeover yet but will put that on my schedule for refund week as I want to buy a couple of items.

My Sunday evening beauty routine needs to be more consistent. Let's say that this is an on-going work in progress.

I have been cooking more this past week but overall, this too could use some work.

And last but not least, I am hoping to take some belly dancing classes once I pay off some of my debts. Need to figure out how to work that into my schedule.

Slacking Off

It's only February but I have already broken or am about to break a couple of my beauty resolutions. I am ashamed of one but surprisingly nonchalant about the other.

I haven't been so good about going to the gym on the regular. That's a walk of shame.

Sunday night beauty routine? Hahaha! Who has time? Well, I am going to make the time this evening. Another walk of shame.

Schedule a makeover every six months. Another, who has time type of question but I consider my latest beauty purchases an attempt at redeeming myself.

Transition to natural hair from a relaxer? Hmmm...well....hmmm....

The truth is I like convenience, maybe too much so. I just feel as though I only have so many hours a day and is it really worth it to fuss with my hair? I tried to wash and flat iron my hair Friday but it didn't come out half as nice as it would had I went to the Dominican salon across the street. So here I sit with a nappy head of hair...

I have a Tuesday appointment for a relaxer. Perhaps I will find the strength the carry on with a natural 'do. No, that's not looking to likely at this minute. I tried.

My 2009 (Life)Style Resolutions

I picked up this idea from the Chicago-based "A Life of Style" blog and am hoping that posting my resolutions will help me stand by them.

* Develop my own signature style. My taste veers towards the classics but I am looking to add a trendier twist. Lipstick Jungle is a major inspiration.

* Sex up my shoes. I have decided to stand by my Converse (no pun intended) but my snow boots have to go as there are some cuter alternatives out there. I have already splurged on three pairs of tall boots for the fall and a couple of pairs of stilettos for the summer.

* Finish cleaning out my closet. I did a major hatchet job in November but there's more work to do as it is time to part with some old friends and forgotten pieces.

* Transition from a relaxer to natural hair. I may end up straightening my natural hair but would at least like to give myself the option of being a curly girlie.

* Schedule a makeover every six months. I am a recovering beauty addict who is now stuck in a makeup rut.

* Revise my Sunday evening beauty routine. I occasionally wash and set my hair for the week but am probably going to go the blowout route every other week. I am instead going to focus more on at home spa treatments. Nothing fancy, just a neat-and-nude mani and pedi, body exfoliation and enjoy a glass of wine.

* Dust off my cookbooks and head back to the kitchen. I am sooo tired of eating out and would like to cultivate better eating habits.

* Do more downward dogs. I would like to go to yoga, and maybe some cardio, at least once a week. I miss my gym. Sigh...

My blog

I have many interests: beauty and fashion, international travel (would like to do more of that one), experimenting with different dishes, yoga and belly dancing (need to get back into class) and finding the right smart phone (my Blackberry Pearl just doesn't cut it anymore).

My conversations also include the serious: politics, community service and charity. Nope, hate that last word. Let's go with volunteering.

That leaves me wondering why I can't have it all, or at least attempt to?

Living the good life isn't about owning priciest gear but enjoying life's experiences. Not that there's anything wrong with picking up a few goodies to enjoy along with way.

So my blog, much like its author, encompasses many areas of interest. We are both a work in progress.