Beauty Travel Essentials: My Top 5

So it just a few hours, I am boarding a train and heading to Hispanicize, the biggest conference for Latinos. I'm trying to take just a carry on but with all the electronics, gifts for friends and two outfits per day, my bag is getting tight. I decided that my make up can be minimized as I end up wearing the same look any how. If I were to only take 5 items, these would be it. Let's be realistic, in my case, I blog about beauty. I will be throwing in at last minute at least 2-3 more pieces just in case but these are really all I need.

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Springtime Beauty Buys Under $10

I've worked as a make up artist for some of the finest lines so naturally, I have a ton of great products just piling up as if getting ready to compete with Nordstroms in a matter of days. However, when I go into the drugstore, I just cannot help but pick up a few things here and there. This Spring, I've been obsessing over a few "budget buys" at the drugstore. Some, I've used for years, others I am new to but love them just the same.

CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara $7. I am a lash snob. I layer two, three kinds, add falsies but on a nice day where I just want to run out the door, this one gives me all that volume without all the fuss. Dare I say, I traded in my DiorShow for this? 

NYX Matte Nail Polish in Teal Light Blue $6. I've never been a pastel girl but something hit me like a ton of bricks this season...oh yeah, the pastel craze. I'm not sure what I love more the color, or the fact that this nail polish is all matte.

L'Oreal Tru Match Concealer $9. I know, I use Bobbi Brown concealer now and it works great but in a pinch and on a budget, I really have always loved this concealer. I used it for years and it has yet to fail me.

Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush $12.99. I know, that is NOT under ten but on drugstore.com if you buy 1, you get 1 half off so yes, that would make it under ten. Why do I love it? Because it is cream, makes your cheeks just glow and if I want that "wow", I could just add powder blush on top for an extra punch.

EOS Organic Lip Balm $3. I am not going to lie, after taking off to an indoor water resort with the baby, my lips were dryer than the Sahari desert. But after a few days of using this, my lips healed beautifully.

Rimmel Waterproof Gel Eyeliner $6. I've said it a million times, I will take a bullet for black. I have a drawer full of pencils, gels, creme and liquid eyeliners. I know, it is a sick obsession. This one stays on. The end.

Mane 'N Tail Shampoo and Conditioner 32 oz $7 & 12 oz $4. I used this when I was younger and my hair was long so I bought it again. I got ripped a new one when I picked up my Oribe so I thought I would soften the blow with this one. It soften more than just that for sure. Careful with the conditioner, it is very protein rich so try a clarifying shampoo in between washes to avoid protein build up. The larger size is usually $7 but I found it at Walgreens for $2.99 right now.

CoverGirl WetSlicks $7 (Currently buy 1, get 1 50% off). I am a gloss junkie. I have 3, at least, in every single purse I own. I like this one because it makes my lips look really shiny, yeah wet almost but it is not sticky which I love.

Wet & Wild Brow and Eyeliner $1. No look ever looks complete without brows, I don't care how full yours are, they are not perfect without the finishing touch. For the greater good, add the finishing touch.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Hand Creme $9. Dear goodness my hands are dry and coming out of the cold season just makes them worse. I like to carry a bit of this in my purse. Not only does it feel good, it smells amazing.

I'm loving my new 'budget buys' and want you to love them as well that is why I am giving one lucky reader a CoverGirl* LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara for you to see for yourself. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*CoverGirl is not sponsoring this post nor did they pay me to write this review. They did, however, send me this mascara to try out and since I already use/have it, I thought I would share. You see? I am nice.

What to Wear : Maternity {Reader Request}

Dress
weekend: jacket | necklace | bag | boot
work week: jacket | bag | bracelet | shoes

So excited that one of my readers reached out to ask for some ideas on what to wear via my Facebook Fan Page. She also happens to be walking around 5 months pregnant. YAY! When Analiese was in my belly, busy sticking her feet in my ribs, I stayed comfortable in stretch jersey, maxi dresses and fun jewelry. I NEVER looked better. Seriously, I put more thought into what I looked like while wobbling around.  I found this basic maternity dress at Old Navy. What I love about it, aside from the simplicity that allows you to work with a blank canvas, is the color. It is fresh, fun and full of life...just like the mom-to-be wearing it! On the weekend, try it with a denim jacket or even an unbuttoned chambray shirt with moto boots. It gives it that cool factor while adding a bold necklace keeps it chic. Wear it again Monday morning to the office or even to lunch with friends with ballet flats and a blazer. The juxtaposition of polka dots and stripes is a bit daring but keeping them both in black and white makes it work perfectly and roll up your jacket sleeves to reveal a stack of bracelets. I did that a lot, I layered every gold bracelet I could find. Hope this served up a little inspiration. I'll be sure to share a bit more soon. Enjoy your weekend.

Coffee & Conversation: What to Wear

coat | top | sweater | pant | scarf | socks | bag | shoes | jewelry

This is a great example of what to wear on a coffee date since one thing my husband and I are doing on a regular basis is going out on coffee dates. It is not the fancy, romantic idea of dating you see on TV but for us it works, we deal in real life. We do the fancy dinner thing but since our date nights are weekly, we opt for something simple like coffee and conversation. It is friendly on the wallet and more relaxing. It is something that I enjoy a lot and look forward to. We are able to sit down, unwind, and talk about  where we would like to travel, current events, politics or my husband's favorite topic, religion. Yes, I talk about more than just clothes and lip gloss. Not to mention, after a long day of work (usually wearing all black), I get to come home and change into something fun and no baby means I can wear heels. What do you date nights consist of?

Weekend Getaway

Top | Pant | Shoes | Bag

Maternity Style {March}

My sister in law is pregnant with their third. In honor of her, every month I'll post a set of fun maternity style. Welcome to March.

Mi cuñada esta embarazada de nuevo. Esto es para ella. Cada mes pienso darle un look de maternidad nuevo. Bienvenido a Marzo.

Baby Style

Analiese is in need of more "going out" clothes, you know, for all the times my toddler goes out to party. She has tons of super cute casual clothes to wear on playmates and to visit family but she needs more fancy frocks for birthday parties and "fancier" activities. I was able to pull a look together from River Island for my little princess. The stroller of course is Maclaren. Hers is grey but this mom is going gaga for stripes lately.

Mi hija, Analiese, necesita mas ropa para salir para cuando ella se va de fiesta...broma! Ella tiene mucha ropa casual para estar en la casa y cuando nos vamos de visita pero en verdad necesita mas estilos que puede usar para cumpleaños y actividades mas formal. Este es un look que yo se que le va a gustar y todo se encuentra en River Island menos claro su coche de Maclaren.

Polyvore Live and COVERGIRL Present Celestino

Polyvore Live and COVERGIRL Present Celestino by yaniragarza23 featuring clutch bags

WorkWear

WorkWear by yaniragarza23 featuring a striped jacket

I haven't been feeling productive and I seriously think it is because I have been slacking on getting dressed and keeping my work space in order. I'm on a neon kick including yellow, my least favorite color, and stripes. I think playing dress up even to sit at my home office/desk in the corner, would make everything much better. What do you think?

En estos días no tengo ganas de trabajar y creo que es porque no me visto por las mañana y no tengo mi casa mantenida. Yo creo que si me visto bien para trabajar en la casa, todo me sale mejor. Estoy enamorada con los colores encendido ahora incluyendo el amarillo que en verdad nunca ere uno de mis favoritos pero ahora me encanta. Que creen? 

NYE Glam

NYE Glam by yaniragarza23 

Glam it up this weekend but what do we do Monday when we are left with an over abundance of glitter, the gleam of the holidays is over and the gloom of winter sets in? Sparkle anyway. I for one plan on continuing in this sparkling extravaganza that has become of me. The over the top sparkle dress that most feel you can only wear that one time can easily be paired with a slouchy sweater and skinny jeans so all you see is a hint. Isn't a hint of sparkle all we need to take us over and make us happy anyhow? So throw on that sequined mini, the glittered top and bring in 2012 as bright as can be and do it again the following Sunday even if just to sit at home and watch football...like me ;)


XOXO