Where’s my Chauffeur?

I change my nail polish nearly as frequently as I change my clothing...actually maybe a bit more.  So when I find a polish that I stick with for a few days, it's kind of a big deal.

Summertime to me just screams bright colors. Much as I love neon pink, and other brights out there, I'm really obsessing over blue and turquoise hues.

Essie's Where’s my Chauffeur? polish is exactly what I'm talking about.

The color is fabulous and stands out regardless of what you're wearing. I don't know how, but I've been sporting this color with virtually everything I own and it magically goes with it all!

Each polish retails for $8.

A Necklace That REALLY Makes a Statement!

I haven't really found a statement necklace that I've loved until now. This super gorgeous Reimbroidered Lace Collar Necklace from Girl Props has officially made me a fan of (some) statement necklaces.

This particular necklace is just so classy--what's better than lace? It's such a pretty look that can dress up any outfit.

Statement necklaces are all the rage, but it can be a bit tricky to wear them. Personally, I think pairing them with simple outfits is the way to go. Even a nice solid black t-shirt and jeans can be the perfect thing to wear with a show-stopping bauble like this.

You also want the necklace to take center stage (it is a statement necklace, after all!), so toning down the rest of your outfit really draws attention to it.  As far as other jewelry goes, make sure to wear small accessories that don't take away from the necklace. Classic diamond (or faux diamond) earring studs are usually a great way to go.

I also am loving the fact that this particular necklace is $22.99! I think it looks much more expensive and I know it'll get tons of use once it's in my jewelry collection!

Surprise!! It's a Fashionable Lunch Tote!

Per usual, I was spending some quality time shopping at Target when I stumbled up on this gorgey purse.

...Except it's not a purse!

This super cute Rachael Ray Pleated Lunch Tote is probably my new favorite thing ever. I only wish that this bag was around back when I actually used lunch boxes. Because I reeeaaally had some ugly ones!

I just love the idea of having a fashionable lunch tote. Think about it--it's the one accessory we don't really think about.

Great jewelry?  Check.  Perfect shoes?  Double check.  When it comes to carrying our lunch to work or even a casual outdoor get-together with our BFFs, we just never think to throw our food in anything cute.

The brown paper lunch bag is officially OUT!

Bonus? If you really want to, this lunch tote can double as a purse (which I'm quite tempted to do).  Each bag is under $30.

Happy National Pink Day!

I'm just tickled pink to announce that there's a special holiday that celebrates the color pink!  Today is officially National Pink Day. Being overly obsessed with pink myself, this is pretty big news.

The day is simply a special day to bust out your face pink doodads and look fabulous.

Personally, I like to celebrate the day by purchasing a new pink item to add to my already pink-filled wardrobe.

I'm absolutely loving these adorable pink Enzo Angiolini Scarla Suede Pumps. They're the most gorgeous pink shoes I've ever seen in my entire life. The $80 price tag is a little scary...but hey! Pink Day only comes around once a year!

So let out your inner girlie-girl and celebrate National Pink Day in style!

My Fabulous Gemvara Creation

Thanks to the lovely people at Style Wire, I was lucky enough to obtain a gift card for a fabulous Gemvara creation!

I'd heard of the brand before, but wasn't exactly sure how the site worked. But I ended up having so much fun creating jewelry, and absolutely love the end result (which I just received today!)

The site lets you completely customize whatever type of jewelry you'd like.  They offer up rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and charms. And when I say customize, I literally mean that you can take a very basic idea that they supply and completely make it your own--from the metals to the gems used, each piece is truly unique.

I honestly had so much fun playing around on the site! It's very user friendly, and you can preview different changes as you go along.

Here's a screenshot of what the whole thing looks like:

Pretty fabulous, right?! I just love that you actually get to see what you're creating as you do it. 

I think that this amazing custom jewelry is simply perfect for a gift (who wouldn't love a necklace that you personally created?!) or is even great as a treat to yourself. 

The prices range greatly.  Depending on the metals and gems you go for, the price is totally up to you. You can definitely stay within a budget if need be.

Here's my final creation:

It's a Sphere Peach Cultured Pearl Sterling Silver Necklace with Green Amethyst. The green is quite light; almost a minty hue. Because the necklace is super dainty and classic, it can be worn with absolutely anything. I'm obsessed with it!

Be sure to check out the site and have fun creating your very own masterpiece!

Kiss My Face Peace Soap (and a GIVEAWAY!!!)

I've always been a huge fan of Kiss My Face, so I was super excited to try out their new Peace Soap.

I ended up getting trying Lavender Mandarin scent (though you can purchase it in Grassy Mint, Pomegranate Acai, and Lemongrass Clary Sage as well). I absolutely loved the scent I chose! It just smells gorgeous.

Okay, so before I start going on and on about how amazing this soap is, I should probably fill you in on the details of the product. It's def called Peace Soap for a reason! 10% of the profits support the Seeds of Peace Organization. The mission of Seeds of Peace is to help young people from regions of conflict throughout the world develop skills necessary to instill peace and coexistence in their region. Pretty great, right?!

Anyway, the soap itself can be used from head to toe, so I gave it a try (kind of using it as a body wash in the shower).  It was very cleansing and didn't irritate my sensitive skin at all. Probably because  the formula is so simple and organic. It's made with only 8 natural ingredients or less.

I would definitely recommend this soap for anyone--it's fabulous!

The best part? Kiss My Face has teamed up with me to do a giveaway!!

I have one full-size bottle of Peace Soap in Grassy Mint to give to a lucky reader.

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "KISS MY FACE.  The giveaway ends 6/26 and the winner will be alerted via email.

If you want to try out the soap on your own, you can purchase it for $8.99.


Disclosure: This post contains products sent for giveaway consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Morning Beauty Routine Time Savers

Even though I love applying my makeup in the morning, there are certainly days when I simply don't feel like spending oodles of time in front of the mirror.

Here are a few tips on how to spend less time getting ready in the a.m. while still looking gorgeous:

1. Multi-task with blush
After sweeping blush on your cheeks, brush a tad into the creases of your eyes.  A little bit of color harmonizes your overall look and wakes up your eyes as well.  Try Tarte’s Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Glisten.

2. Use concealer in a pinch
Covering up any discoloration on your skin will help polish your look. Use concealer in the spots where we all need it most--under the eyes, at the outside corners of the eyes, around the nostrils of the nose, and on any spots you may have on the face. I like using L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Concealer. It provides full coverage without looking cakey or leaving creases.

3. Make bronzer a must-have
Bronzer is the quickest way to add a glowing, healthy sheen to your look. If you only use one skin product, this should be it! Repurpose it as blush and/or eye shadow, and use it to contour your cheekbones. To mimic a natural tan, choose a bronzer with a golden undertone, rather than the orange hue that is commonly found in products.  Try ELF Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder.

4. Invest in a double-duty tinted lip balm
Tinted lip balms are fantastic. They moisturize and add just a hint of color to the lips. Dab a bit of the sheer, creamy color onto the apples of your checks as well. I love Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate.

5. Never underestimate the power of dry shampoo
I do not recommend washing your hair every day unless you want to strip hair of its moisture. Personally, I only wash my hair a few times a week.  In between washings, I like to use dry shampoo to get rid of any greasiness that might have built up. I can usually get an extra day or so out of my hair this way. A tip? Apply it the night before if you know that you're not washing your hair the following day.  That really allows the product to set in. Batiste Dry Shampoo gets the job done.

Give the ideas a try and notice how much time you shave off your morning routine!

Perfectly Patterned Paisley Dress

As most of you know, I spend the majority of summer sporting pretty dresses. I just love them! They look great, can be dressed up or down, and are super easy to throw on.

There are so many cute options out there. I recently stumbled upon this crazily adorable Paisley Print Lace Trim Tank Dress from Maurices (love the store!). I'm absolutely smitten with it.

First of all, the cut is super flattering. The lace trim is placed perfectly--right at the tiniest part of all womens' bods (the natural waistline and right below the bustline). That draws the attention to the area, creating the illusion of an hourglass shape that we all strive for.

Secondly, I love love love the print. Paisley is always pretty and I like the fact that it's red. The dress looks like it could almost be vintage--that's how fabulously unique it is.

Some other perks? The dress has adjustable straps, and the top is lightly padded so you can wear it sans bra.

The best part? Each dress is $34.

Ouidad's New Color Sense Collection

When the weather's warm, I tend to wear my hair with my God-given curls a lot more frequently.  I just love the look of beachy waves.  My hair's natural state is more of a "wavy frizz" texture...not really something I'm a fan of putting on display.  That said, I can usually count on the amazing products Ouidad has to offer to tame my curls, and make my hair look fabulous!

Just in time for the summer season, Ouidad has launched its new line of Color Sense products designed to preserve and protect hair color from fading caused by sun exposure and other environmental factors that can damage hair. Since I've been coloring my hair since middle school, I was really excited to try out the line.

The Color Sense trio includes a Color Preserving Shampoo and Color Preserving Conditioner with a Color Lock complex, as well a Shine Boosting Color Extender treatment.  All of the products aim to nourish, shield, enhance vibrancy and extend the life of color. It works by very gently removing mineral deposits and product build-up that leads to the premature stripping of color, while being gentle on hair.

I tried out all of the products and was very impressed, as expected.

The shampoo was great--it felt a lot more gentle than other shampoos I usually use, yet my hair still felt super clean after using it. I do use a lot of styling products and I felt like the shampoo did a good job of removing the build-up, without being too harsh.  The conditioner worked amazingly. I used it post shampooing and left it in for 3 minutes before rinsing out. My hair immediately felt soft and healthy.

My absolute fave product was the Shine Boosting Color Extender.  I honestly can't even describe how much I love this stuff!! I applied it evenly in my hair (from root to tip) and left it in for about 10 minutes. After I rinsed my hair, it just felt amazing! I didn't even need to use a detangling product when I dried my hair--my wide-tooth comb went through it with ease.

Because the products all worked so well together, my "gross frizzy afro" needed almost no styling.  I let it air dry and got this as a result:

I know the picture is a little burly, but my curls look fantastic, right?!

I definitely suggest this line to anyone out there with curly, colored hair. Trust me--you'll fall in love after the first use.

You can purchase the products at Ouidad.com, Ouidad Flagship, certified salons and Ulta.

Disclosure: This post contains a product given to me for review consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

How to Apply False Eyelashes

I first fell in love with false eyelashes in college. I couldn't apply them myself, so my amazing friend, Caitlin, used to put them on for me before my first class. Considering that most of the other students wore pajamas and no makeup to class, I now realize my look was a bit ridiculous...

That said, false eyelashes are a great way to step up your makeup look and appear more glamorous.

It sounds scary at first, but they're actually fairly easy to apply. You can also find lashes that don't look completely fake.

Fake eyelashes have come a long way in the past few years. In fact, some eyelash strips look so natural that they are barely detectable once applied. They simply make your lashes look fuller and more gorgeous.

If you're worried about looking like a drag queen--don't.  Just remember that it's the application process that makes the difference.

Follow these simple steps and you'll be good to go:

Step 1
Cleanse your skin and remove all traces of makeup. Pay close attention to your eye area during cleansing.

Step 2
Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler. Close your eye and place the opening of the eyelash curler over your lashes. Remain still and close the eyelash curler. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat the process on the lashes of your other eye. I even like to "pump" the curler a bit after holding it in place. It adds more curl and looks more natural.

Step 3
Remove a strip of false eyelashes from their packaging. Stand in front of a mirror in a well-lit room.

Step 4
Lay the false eyelash strip over the top lashes of one eye. Check to see if the length of the eyelash strip is equal to that of your natural lash line or if it will require trimming. Most of the time, you will need to trim a bit. [bonus tip: if you're looking for a less dramatic look, cut the strip in half and use only the outer halves on your lids to give a little extra lift!]

Step 5
Trim the false eyelash strip using a sharp pair of scissors. Lay the false eyelash strip on a flat surface, band side up.

Step 6
Squeeze a strip of false eyelash adhesive or glue along the band. A thin strip is all that is necessary. Close your eye.

Step 7
Align the band of the false eyelash strip with your natural lash line. Press the false eyelash strip into place by applying light pressure with the pads of your fingertips.

Step 8
Repeat the process on your other eye. Apply a coat of mascara. This will help blend your natural lashes and the false eyelashes together. I even like to go over it with black liquid liner to sort of "fuse" everything together. It just makes everything look more natural.

The falsies I usually buy are Ardell Fashion Lashes.  You can get their starter kit for $5.99.

Lip Balm + Lip Gloss = My New Best Friend!

Thanks to Almay's latest lip product, Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm, my lippy collection has grown even more.

I was actually really excited to try these out. Almay doesn't usually disappoint me, especially when it comes to their fab glosses and balms.  This particular product is a hybrid formula that has the pigment and shine of a gloss, and the texture and moisturizing properties of a lip balm.

That's right.  A hybrid lip product.  We've come so far.

As expected, I am head-over-heels in love with the balm. The colors are all pretty sheer.  My personal fave hue, Apple-A-Day, looks like a bright candy red in the tube (which looked a little scary to me!), but the result was just a nice red wash over my lips. It's sheer enough that I feel confident that I could apply it sans mirror if I needed to, yet pigmented enough to add a nice pop of color. You can also build up the color, like you would with a lipstick, so you can get whatever look you're going for.

Since this product also works like a balm, it feels amazing on lips.  Almost buttery. Love it!

Each tube is about $6. Definitely worth a try!

Fashion Faux Pas: The Fanny Pack...is Back?

When I discovered the horrifying fact that fanny packs are (gasp!) in style again, I went a little crazy.  But that's really understandable, considering the situation.

Come on, people. We've come so far! I honestly thought that fanny packs would be the one retro fashion accessory that would not be making a second appearance anytime soon. I'm quite frankly in shock.

The worst part is that the cleverly-named "Belt Bags" are being made by designers that I usually love (like DKNY).  I feel so betrayed!

Okay, so the picture doesn't really make the fanny pack look as horrible as it did in the past.  But that is simply because the bag is being worn flat on a skinny model. Almost like a thick belt.  But let me fill you in on something: once you throw even one item in these new belt bags, you will immediately look like you have a much larger stomach than you do.  And really, no one wants that.

Even on its own, the bag adds extra bulk. The model pictured is clearly as skinny as they come and even she looks like she's got some unneeded bulk around her mid-section.

Now, if this bag was sold sans belt, it would actually make a cute clutch.  Here's a better look:

See what I mean? If you bought this and just cut off the belt, it would be totally wearable.  But the cheap look of the belt part is just...disturbing.  It even has the same adjustable strap that we saw in the early '90s.  That just cheapens the look of a bag that has potential.

It really saddens me. Handbags are one of my many obsessions and seeing something like this is just ridiculous and gross.

That is all.

Life's a Peach!

As the Style Setter for the Mall at Rockingham Park, I'm given the unique opportunity to try out even more amazing products than I have in the past. So, I decided that I'll be sharing some of my absolute favorite things that I come across at the mall with all of my lovely readers here too!

I've always been a fan of bareMinerals, but for some reason didn't take the time to seriously sit and try out their products until now.  I was given this amazing Addicted to Peach makeup set to try and I've become crazily obsessed with it.

As you all know, I have a collection of about 547385943 makeup bags, and even more actual makeup.  There's just something about gift sets that tickle my fancy.  When I received the bag of goodies, I was already thinking about peach makeup. You know...i'm psychic like that. Plus when makeup is constantly on your mind, chances are it'll sync up with an actual trend at some point. Anyway, it's been on my radar for a while now--summertime usually always focuses in on peach and bronze products, so I was really anxious to give it a try.

In this particular set, you receive the following:

• READY Eyeshadow 2.0 The Guilty Pleasures featuring Shh... & Yes Please (apricot nectar/cinnamon brown shimmer) 
• Small Temptation Eyecolor (glistening nude peach) 
• Flawless Definition Mascara in Black
• Sweet Peach Radiance All-Over Face Color (golden peach glow) 
• Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Stylista (vivid peach) 

Of course, the makeup bag itself is super adorable--it has kind of a golden/peach hue and is a decent size.

My fave product in the set is definitely the Sweet Peach Radiance All-Over Face Color.  It's just so pretty! The color is a nice, flattering, mid-tone peach with a slightly shimmery (not a disco party glittery) finish. It's a product that I can see myself using a lot. And because it's so highly pigmented, I know that it will last for months.

I also want to take a second to mention how much I love the Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Stylista. Even though I've admitted to owning hundreds of lip products, I've always loved this particular gloss and own it in a few different colors (I know, I know...how many G.D. lipglosses can one gal have??!) That said, this particular color was a little intimidating at first glance.  In the tube, it appears to be almost a scary bright orange color. However, on the lips, it's nice and sheer so it just gives a pretty peachy glow. It's officially made its way into my purse and I haven't gone a day without using it since trying it.

You can buy the set for $49, either at the Mall at Rockingham Park, or online. It's valued at $89, and since all the products are great, it's really a fabbity-fab idea to buy one (or five).

Another point: the upside to shopping at the mall is that the salespeople in the store are super helpful and you can give the products a little test run before purchasing them.

Lastly, be sure to keep checking out my official Simon Malls Style Setter blog for even more fashion and beauty posts!


Disclosure: This post contains a product given to me for review consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Rainbow Honey Goes FAB For Summer!

So, I'm sure you're all sick of reading about my latest nail polish lusts...but I simply cannot help it. So deal.

My newest love? Rainbow Honey, a nail polish company that specializes in gorgeous, unique, colorful and highly-pigmented custom blended nail lacquers.  They have some adorable collections and, after perusing their site, I was super excited to give some of their lovely hues a try!

Right now, the brand is offering up some great deals with Fab.com, including a gorgeous Fab Summer Set that truly tickles my fancy.


The set, which is available exclusively at Fab.com, consists of three full-size, all-new polishes:  Tenda, Schrammi and Costa del Sol. Each trio is $25 (marked down from a $30 retail price).

The three colors are perfect for the season, and are great basic colors to try if, like me, you're new to the brand.

Tenda is a bright kelly green with tiny flecks of gold. I'm loving green polish this season.  It's fresh, and the color always manages to come back in style. Two coats was enough to leave an opaque finish.

Schrammi is a deep coral with the same gorgeous golden flecks found in Tenda. This is the perfect shade for summer. It's also a shade that manages to somehow look fantastic on everyone, so if you're looking for one Rainbow Honey color to try, this should be it. Again, two coats did the job.

Costa del Sol is an incredible explosion of holographic, iridescent and golden glitter in multiple, fantastic sizes. It can literally be worn over any other polish (I really love the way it looks with Schrammi pictured above, but any color will do). You can also throw this on solo for a pretty glitter finish that you can build up.


The formula for all three of these polishes is excellent--I have a feeling that's pretty much the norm for Rainbow Honey. All in all, it's an excellent set and a great summer addition to any collection!

Now remember, as I mentioned above, this collection is only available for a very limited time. The same is true for the other fab sets that Rainbow Honey has up at Fab.com. So be sure to check them out ASAP and enjoy the savings!

Happy shopping!

Disclosure: This post contains products sent for consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Happy Birthday to My Favorite Sister!

Today, my absolutely favorite sister in the entire world (which is okay to say, as I only have one!) turns 24!! She's gorgeous, hilarious, and I'm proud to call her my little sis.

Happy Birthday, Jenna-Rose!! Love you!