Fall/Winter Outfits & Looks




It's been a bit harder to record some of my favorite looks lately because I'm out the door very early in the morning and there's no one around to snap snap for me! I've compiled some outfits and looks from the last few weeks. Check out what I've been wearing:

My Skincare Routine




My Skincare Routine

My Skincare Routine by dlamondstuds 

I'm gonna give it to you straight. My friend Kristina is a consultant for Rodan & Fields and approached me about trying out some products if I, in exchange, blogged about it.
Because I promised to  keep it real with you  - I told her I would definitely try it and blog about it only if I loved it and I felt it worked for me. If I didn't like the product, I obviously wouldn't bash it, I would just rather not talk about it at all.


Well, here we are. A few months later, skin glowing and everyone asking me what I've been using/putting on my skin. My best friend, my boss, my mother, my co-workers, my husband all used the word "glowing". So to be fair, I thought I'd give you my entire routine. Am I 100% diligent? No. I try to be. More often than not, I do try to make sure to get most of these products in. It's hard being a girl. It's exhausting as a matter of fact!



The "Redefine" Line by Rodan & Fields

I LOVE this line. I'm actually really pissed off that I like it so much because it's  a tad expensive and I'm basically on empty and starting to have withdrawals. Will I buy it  and re-up?? Absolutely. (After Chri$tmas!) So lets get into it:


1. Daily cleansing mask - NOTHING and I mean NOTHING has cleared out my blackheads  and pores better. It's a gritty cleanser/exfoliator/mask all in one. My favorite face cleanser to date. If I get nothing else from this line, this product is the one that it is a must own in my personal opinion. It all starts with a clean fresh face and this is your golden starting point to glowing skin.



2. The toner is awesome. It has a slight tingle the first one or two times you use it and then your skin (or at least mine did) reacts naturally to it with zero irritation. Pleasant smell, nothing harsh and it does have that clean feeling that I think we're all looking for. Great for makeup prep as well.



3. The moisturizers - The morning one has serious SPF which I can't live without for daytime. I like that they both are a thinner consistency  but still moisturize really well without being this thick goopy cream that you have to really work into your skin. I already went to the gym, no need for the extra arm exercises, ya know what I'm saying?! They smell fresh and clean - not heavy perfumey. 



All in all, I was very, very, very pleased with this product. Like I said, this is not a plug solely for a friend. I tried the product myself. I kept to it like I was asked and I absolutely saw a difference and enjoyed the line the whole way through.

 I used the basic starter kit - You  can log on right here:


https://kristinaamato.myrandf.com/Shop/REDEFINE 



You can browse the site to figure out which line is for you and pick individual products that you feel will suit your needs. I promise you won't be disappointed. Give yourself a gift that truly keeps on giving this holiday season!



One more thing to know:  There is a 60 day empty bottle guarantee on all of the products. 

This means you can return your order within 60 days of ordering if you do not like it. 

How's that for service?!

The Clarasonic Mia
This product has been around the block for a while now. Goes beyond manual cleaning and whisks away dead skin cells like nothing else. My makeup goes on flawlessly after using this. My model is a bit outdated -Sephora has a ton of new colors, prints and speeds. Is it wrong that I'm kinda waiting for mine to crap out so i can upgrade? ;)

Philips Sonicare Diamondclean Sonic Electric Toothbrush
I am done with manual cleaning. This thing is the Michael Jordan of toothbrushes.
It's so powerful! It has different cleaning options such as "polish", "whitening", Gum care", "sensitive", etc. It does give your mouth that full clean feeling. I actually haven't tried the whitening feature yet but I'm interested to see if it does help the cause.....I suppose paired with the Crest 3D Glamorous White Toothpaste it should do something, no?? I'll keep you posted!  I've been using this toothpaste for quite some time now and while I can't quite say it makes my teeth WHITE, I have been smiling a lot more showing my teeth in pictures and I feel more confident in my smile. Also, I've been buying it over and over which says a lot because I'm always looking for the next best thing.

Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment
Once October hits, my lips become cracked and dry right away. Every lipstick and gloss settles in the fine lines and cakes up. I have used every lip balm and treatment under the sun. Nothing really works. One of the youtube beauty girls I follow swore by this so I gave it a shot. I have yet to use anything else on my lips. Swipe it on at night and your lips are satin by morning. I promise you. You'll never need anything else.


Origins Plantscription Anti Aging Power Serum & Eye Cream
Prior to R&F, I was using the Origins Plantscription line. I was very happy with it - and still am. Because I'm mid thirties now (I literally just died.), for anti aging purposes, a serum is a must. I use this at night before the R&F night moisturizer. I haven't tried the R&F Redefine Serum but once I run out of the Origins I might give a try. I'm sure I'm going to love it. I'll have to miss a few lunches, but I'll still look cute! After all isn't that what it's all about??? 
I KID!  I KID!  NO I DON'T.
The Origins eye cream is the only one that hasn't irritated my eyes and I don't have sensitive skin at all. I just find most eye creams make me water and burn a bit after I apply them and this one seems to be powerful and gentle which I can appreciate.

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream
I apply this strictly for  moisture right before I do my makeup. I HATE fine lines and crepiness. To avoid seeing the makeup settle in, I make sure to pump up the volume to keep my skin and makeup looking fresh.

Origins VitaZing spf15
I can't find enough good things to say about this product. It's VITAL to my routine. I don't use foundation, I don't use primer or setting powders or anything heavy on my skin.  I like to look fresh, dewy and TOUCHABLE. With that being said, I still would like some type of product to give a slight coverage and glow. This is that product. I wear it every single day in all seasons and I don't need anything else on my skin before I start on my color.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
You know what they say....shimmer/glitter is the downfall of aging skin. It can make you look 20 years older than you are. I find a lot of highlighters are laden with chunks of shiny stuff for lack of a better word.  It settles in the lines, it makes you look like a retired Rockette!
When I first tried this product, I wasn't sure how I felt about it because I couldn't really SEE the highlight until I figured out that less is more. It's not supposed to be this shimmery shiny streak across your face. This is so natural and when the light hits, you look like a super model. I kid you not. You need a good brush for this to get it's full effect. I use the Hourglass highlighter brush with these. This is the Star on the skincare Christmas tree. Don't skip this product, you won't be sorry!


NOW GET GLOWING!!

 - V.V.

Throwback Thursday Thanksgiving!




Happy Thanksgiving to all of my family and friends! I hope everyone ate well and spent time with their favorites.

For some, the best part of the day is the bird. For me? It's the outfit! Another excuse to get all gussied up and festive, know what I mean? You're reading this blog. Of course you do! ;)

This year I went for a retro style, 70's look. I really love that era. Not sure why I'm so drawn to it. It's earthy and glamorous at the same time. Here is my take on that look. The deep mustard color blouse lends itself to Autumn just perfectly. Not to mention the weather was beautiful today. Not too cold which allowed for easy layering.


Blouse: LOFT (old, a few years ago)

Sweater: LOFT - 50% off right now!

Jeans: gifted- by Gap

Boots: Sole Society

Earrings: Kendra Scott

Watch: Nixon

Bracelet: Shopbop

Sunglasses: Karen Walker

Bag: Madewell