GETTING ORGANIZED - CABOODLES ACRYLIC COSMETIC ORGANIZER TRAY

Anyone resolute to organize in the new year? 

Our bathroom sink, a.k.a my temporary makeup storage, has been a complete mess since our toddler started walking. Because she cannot keep her hands out of my makeup drawers, I have been slowly moving them onto the bathroom counter I share with hubby.

Poor hubby! He has been complaining since the summer.

Today, I saw this clear cosmetic tray at Target. It cost around $15.

Cute packaging, right?

Love all the compartments.

Excellent ways to store makeup brushes and tools

There is room for about anything.

What a good way to organize!

With diligence, I organized all the pretty things I own, and converted this:

No, we did not just experience a tornado. This is actually a good day.

My poor brushes. They deserve so much better than my college roommate's mug.

into this:

Neat...at last.

Makeup is still busting out, but so much more organized now.

Hubby could really give me a back rub now. (Wink! Wink!)

How do you organize your makeup?

FROM FRUMPY TO FAB - AN OUTFIT POST

Sometimes one small change can take frumpy to fab.

I wore this ruffled button-up when I was in my first trimester. Hiding a growing belly was such a challenge, and I'm sure I looked awfully frumpy -- or shall I say awful and frumpy?

My frumpy shirt - good for pregnancy, bad for fashion.

Today, I have no pregnant belly to hide, but I do have an important interview (for another article) to rush to at the Legacy House in the International District.

I thought this shirt, with dark washed jeans, would make proper business casual wear for the interview.

To avoid looking frumpy again, I tucked it in -- there goes that one, little change -- and the outfit instantly took shape.

Tuck the shirt in - much better.

How do you take your outfit from frumpy to fab?

REVIEW - BURT'S BEES BEESWAX LIP BALM

Chapped lips -- another "beautiful" side effect of harsh winter air. 

(And I live in Seattle, for God's sake. It's supposed to be rainy and wet here.)

To keep my puckers moist and kiss-a-ble, lip balm is a must. "Santa" left me Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm in the stocking -- lucky me :O) And this one contains vitamin E and a hint of peppermint.

Trust me. I have tried a ton of lip balm. Some of them were amazing. Let's see if this one stacked up to the others?

The Claim:

"Smooth, supple lips everyone will be buzzing about."

My Take:

• I am so totally buzzing about it. 

• Lips felt smooth and soft after use.

• Lip balm definitely provided a noticeable coat of protection.

• Thick, rich formula felt great on the mouth.

• Balm soothed my chapped lips.

Likes:

• Excellent moisturizing power

• Smooth, thick, protective formula

• 100% natural ingredients

• Hint of peppermint felt tingly and nice on the lips

• Twist top was easy to use

• Reasonable price. Only around $3 a tube.

All natural, recyclable products are the best.

Dislikes:

• Small tube might be easy to lose, as I am often scatter-brained

• Highly addictive. (Okay, this is not really a "dislike," but I can't seem to put it down.)

Overall Rating:

5/5

Re-purchase?

Absolutely!

Twist tube is easy to use.

Have you tried Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm?

How did you like it?

DOWN-TO-EARTH BROWN - AN OUTFIT POST

What do you feel like wearing today --  cheerful brights or down-to-earth brown?

Flirty and colorful, brights are fun. Some days, however, I feel a bit grounded, and go for something brown.

This brown sweater dress may not scream for attention, but it has its own charm. It's earthy, mature, and super comfy -- something I can just throw on, wear all day long, and still look put-together.

Throw on a sweater dress over leggings, and you are ready to go.

Brights are nice, but so are earthy browns.

Now that I have made my choice, what about you?

Will you be wearing down-to-earth brown?

DEF-SHOP.COM - GIRLIE BLOG'S FIRST SPONSOR

It is a profound moment in every blogger's "career" when we get our first sponsor.

Of course, we all started blogging for fun. But then something clicked and we fell in love with the craft. Soon enough, we spend an obscene amount of time posting, snapping pictures, designing and formulating ideas -- blogging isn't just our passion, it's an obsession!

And when we get an email from our first sponsor -- huh? You want to WHAT my blog? -- it's like Christmas all over again.


Meet Def Shop, a German-based clothing store that offers casual street wear, a.k.a my favorite things to wear.

From wonderful ankle boots to beautiful dresses to cool accessories, Def Shop offers the hottest fashion with the coolest style.

I am both excited and honored to have Def Shop as a sponsor for next year. (Loved working with their marketing team, by the way.) 

And please, give Def Shop a look. Their stuff is really cute and affordable. 

Here are a few of my picks:

The perfect sweater dress for winter

Cool, chic riding boots for strutting the streets

Beautiful double-breasted coat to battle the cold

Lovely turquois wallet for a night out

Isn't this watch both stunning and cool?

Who was your first sponsor? 

And how thrilled were you?

INSTANT DRESS UP - BLAZER OVER PLAID

This blazer-over-plaid look was inspired by other bloggers. I liked it so much that I decided to attempt my own version.

Blazers dress up plaids almost instantly. The look is comfy, tidy and effortless.

Today, I wore a plaid button-up over jeggings, topped it with a blazer, and slipped into a pair of black pumps. 


It's an easy-going style that looks pulled-together and takes little time to make. For a busy mommy, that's a very good deal.

Love this blazer. Got it from Macy's years ago.

Pulled my hair back. A back pony is better for this outfit.

Side view -- fitted blazers are great for slenderizing

Rear view -- layered but tidy.

 What do you think of the blazer-over-plaid look?

REVIEW - AUSSIE 3 MINUTE MIRACLE DEEP CONDITIONER

Dry scalp and brittle hair -- don't you love winter's "cute" side effects?

To quench hair with a dose of hydration, I often use a deep conditioner.

Deep conditioners contain ingredients that further moisturize the hair than regular conditioners do, and reverse damaging effects of routine styling and chemical treatments. 

In other words, they give hair a healthy boost, making it shiny and smooth.

On a recent shopping trip, I picked up Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner. It claims to revitalize dull hair. 

Puzzled and curious -- is there such a thing as a 3 minute miracle?

Did it work? Find out below :O)

 Hello Hydration!

• Excellent moisturizing power. Hair felt immediately quenched.

• One use resulted in smooth and soft mane the next day.

• Hair appeared healthy and shiny.

Usage

•  Twist top was easy to use.

• Formula was thick and consistent -- did not run at all.

• Loved how the twist top stood at the bottom, so formula can run to the bottom when bottle is near empty.

• Process only took 3 minutes -- very nice timing.

See the twist top? It's stands at the bottom so formula collects on the bottom when bottle is almost empty.

Very easy to open, super practical in the shower.

Nice and thick formula that flowed out easily but wasn't runny at all.

Pricing

• Around $3 to $5 at drug stores -- an affordable price

Additional Thoughts

• Smelled like sweet coconut :O)

Rating

5/5

Repurchase?

Absolutely!

Have you tried Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner?

PRIM AND PROPER

No. I am neither prim nor proper. 

(Don't let my blog title fool ya. Total t-shirt and jeans girl here.)

But, once in a (long) while, I do dress very girlie. Guess today is one of those occasions.

The pink, lacy skirt was a present from hubby -- yes, he is super sweet -- I paired it with a simple tank and black sweater. 

They make the perfect combo for a romantic date night, don't you think?

I love this pin-striped jacket, so I attempted a mix n' match with the skirt. 

Well, didn't turn out completely disastrous...

Overall, I put forth good effort to look prim and proper.

What do you think of the outfits?