Friday's Fancies #17: Black and White

I absolutely loved this week's Friday Fancies theme. Black and white is one of my go-to combos. Last year I made a goal of integrating more color into my wardrobe, but lately I've been reaching for some go to black and white options.

I especially love to pop this color combo with a few gold accessories. Something about it just seems so perfectly classic to me.

Anyways, hope you ladies have a wonderful weekend. I plan on catching up on some MUCH needed sleep. Yay. So excited.

DC Goodwill Fashionista

Hey y'all. I'm over on the Goodwill Fashionista Today talking about post- inaugural fashion. Come visit here

Inaugural Recap

Well folks. It's over. While it was an overwhelmingly stressful few days, I will never forget the ride. I kept thinking what a difference four years and a lot of hard work makes. I spent the weekend juggling touring my parents around town, working to prep for a few big events my office hosted throughout the weekend, trying to attend the Obama Legacy conference, see all my campaign staff friends, sleep, dance the night away at a few balls, oh... and go to the inauguration.

Lashes and curls at the office. A normal day OBVIOUSLY.

All dressed up and ready to go to the Arkansas Ball. Again... I'm loving wearing the fake lashes. So glamorous. I just need to practice applying them. 

An INSANELY amazing cheesecake at the staff ball. 

The staff ball was quite the affair, POTUS, FLOTUS, The Bidens, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett all in one room. Doesn't get much better than that. 

Now that all of this silliness is over, I promise to be a better blogger and start writing posts again. See you ladies tomorrow for Friday Fancies!!!

Happy Thursday!

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First Lady Fashion

I'm still recouperating from the madness that has been this 57th Presidential Inauguration. I promise to bring a full re-cap soon, but I wanted to check in and say hello! What did y'all think of Michelle's looks yesterday? I'm loving this edgier first lady. The sleek hair (and the new bangs!), the graphic print with the sparkly belt? Love.

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While I loved the 2009 yellow combo--- it seemed she catered a bit to what she thought she should wear,  something traditional, but this is the second term now, and she's setting her new style agenda off on the right foot!

Then she showed up in this gorgeous Jason Wu gown. I loved the bright color, the subtle pattern, and the fit. She looked absolutely stunning.

Friday Fancies #16

For this week's round of Friday Fanices the theme is Outfit Crush. It may be the fact that the inauguration is now upon us but I have red white and blue on the brain lately. I pinned this a while back and I'm still obssessed. 

Here's my take. I may have gone a tad overboard with the broaches, but I love the combo of the feminine lacy dress with the structured, yet still feminine, military jacket. 

Sorry for being such a bad blogger this week, but life just gets in the way at times. My parents get into town tonight, so let the whirlwind weekend officially begin. I promise to tweet and instagram up a storm over the festivities! So follow me twitter and instagram.

Have a great weekend lovelies!

You need this brush

Do y'all remember when I did a brief overview of my essential makeup brushes here? Well I'm back for a quick (because I have no time in my life to actually blog) addition. 

I was contacted by Sigma Beauty about some of the reviews I've done, and the generously sent me some brushes to test out. Their brushes are great, and honestly rival my MAC brushes. They hold up to cleanings, are dense, soft, you name it. I honestly love the products and the prices are even better. So today I want to introduce you to one brush in particular I think you NEED to add to your brush collection.

The E25 Blending Brush.

This has seriously become my go to brush lately. In recent years I've become makeup obsessed. I spend way too much time reading makeup blogs and watching youtube videos, and if I can take anything from my hours of practicing, blending is the key to a great makeup look.  

PS. I cleaned every single one of my makeup brushes the other night. What's a reasonable number of brushes to own? 

I have 27. and I use EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. 

Hi my name is Emily. I am a makeup brush hoarder. 

Happy Thursday Ladies!

January Birchbox

Hello! Long time no see ladies, sorry for dropping off the face of the earth yesterday. No post. No instagrams, nothing on Facebook. Not even a tweet. What is happening to me? Well--- I'm a tad stressed about life right now. So much to do, so little time. And I didn't write any posts over the weekend- I normally write outlines for all of my posts on Sundays. So we're winging it. Woohoo. aka--- I might go MIA again until after the inauguration. But I promise to update Twitter and Instagram like a crazy person. 

Anyways. I received my Birchbox in the mail a few days ago, and I've been loving some things... others not so much. First up.

theBalm® cosmetics Put a Lid On It™

I'm still semi- new to the Balm product, but so far I love what I've seen. This is no exception. Great primer. Takes a bit to dry, but one it does you are set for the whole day. I still prefer my UD primer potion, but this is not to say I won't love using this lovely sample. Thanks!

Ojon damage reverse™ Instant Restorative Hair Serum

Birchbox must have read my mind, because I just ran out of my argon oil. Seriously, the day before my box came. I'm not sure I love this more than my orofluido elixir, this is a great product. You can use it on wet or dry hair (I've only tried dry), and a little goes a long way. Smooth the product from the mid-shaft to the ends to reduce frizz and protect ends.

alessandro Nail Polish

I'm kind of obsessed with this nail polish. The color is Blue Lagoon, and actually comes off a little closer to navy than this pictures makes it seem. The formula is great though, super pigmented color. Goes on smooth, and three days later I still have yet to see a chip. Plus they have tons of other fun colors!

Harvey Prince Skinny Chic - 50ml

I may be the only one out there who likes getting perfumes in my box, but this one was a miss for me. I can't quite put my finger on what I don't like about it, but I'm just not feeling it. Sorry. Birchbox says: 

"The dominant note of crisp green apple is tempered by marine mint and lovely lotus blossom. In the background, notes of grapefruit, bergamot, fennel, white cedarwood, amber, and iris mix and mingle."  

Which if you ask me sounds like a lot of different smells that don't necessarily mingle well.

Fresh Lotus Face Cream

Loving this great face cream. Smells lovely- very light and as you might think... fresh. It definitely moisturizes, so I would only ever use this at night, plus no SPF, but it's great! I'm new to night creams, so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but I'm a fan!

Emerald Inaugural {FF #15}

I'm not going to lie, I've had Inauguration on the brain all week. I'm so excited to get all dressed up, see friends and family, and pretend like we are a part of the Washington elite. What a glamourous life I lead (said with full sarcasm). So after Wednesday's post where I talked inaugural options, where SO many of you commented and just gushed about the emerald option (no longer available at Macy's BTW, ANNOYING), I've been re-evaluating my options. I want to incorporate emerald one way or another. But should I run out and get a new dress? or maybe invest in a few accessories? What to do. What to do. So these are all options I would love to consider adding to my look.

Evening dress | high heels | handbag | ring | necklace |  drop earrings | stud earrings | head band | sequin gown |  bangle

What do y'all think? Full on gown? or do I stick with accessories?

PS. How amazing would it be for Michelle to rock that Elie Saab Gown? I'm dying just thinking about it.  Have a great weekend loves!

MNF, Part II

That’s me in the corner. That’s me in the spotlight, losing my religion.

Trying to keep up with you and I don’t know if I can do it.

Oh no. I’ve said too much. I haven’t said enough.

                A whole 2 weeks for Part II (Remember Part I)!  Hope I haven’t lost your interest!  We are in the MIDST of football playoffs, so let's wrap up Monday Night Football... To recap – we’ve left Chinatown’s bat cave and head to the infamous Capitol Lounge on Capitol Hill, a New England Patriots bar (I recently discovered) to catch the Monday Night Football game.  If I were to make a list of the things I love most about DC, near the top would be the fact that DC is an international and domestic hub for individuals from all types of backgrounds.  It’s a skittles commercial-all the colors of the cultural rainbow.  And here we are – a Monday night in our nation’s capital, and this Southerner is surrounded by New England Patriots fans with Mark Wahlberg accents and his reaaally NSFW (unless you're Officer Dignam) The Departed vernacular.

                Capitol Lounge (Cap Lounge as they call it on the street) is located on the strip of Pennsylvania Avenue restaurants down the street from the United States House of Representatives office buildings, nestled between Capitol Hill and Eastern Market in Southeast DC.  It is a Republican-owned (but bipartisan in business) playground for congressional staff, particularly interns and younger twenty-something staff.  The décor is pretty austere, but it is adorned with aged political paraphernalia (the walls are a collection for Reagan and Nixon campaign swag, hung amidst red+white+blue and stars+stripes fabrics/flags/buntings, etc.).  Of bars in DC, with such power-packing patronage, Cap Lounge is the Jenny from the Block version of Jennifer Lopez – the inconspicuous, no frills neighborhood pub, full of fully suited puppeteers for our federal lawmakers.  It is a staple in Capitol Hill so there is no need for inventive concoctions or promotions, although they do offer a few good ones, and I would call it unpretentious for that reason but doing so would only be half-right.  Among the political and patriotic stylings are signs stating, “I don’t care who you work for.”  And, if you show up AFTER the safety hours of happy hour, the place is full of political loose lips and poisoned philosophies, all willing to dive into a debate on House Resolution yadayada, the exact role/size of the federal government, skinterns in the office of Congressman Cat in the Hat, to whom and how much big donors have spent this past campaign cycle, the economics driving the American job market, and of course, how this/that party is screwing over America’s future. 

                The yin to balance the yang, however, is that Cap Lounge will often reserve entire levels for private parties, like it is on this particular night as the main level has been hijacked by a trivia night.  The private party this evening (for what, I’m not quite sure) is closing down, so the staff has been kind enough to let our small group enter the private party for the tail end so that we may catch kick-off while trivia concludes.  Not that there aren’t enough televisions upstairs, but we absolutely take the offer.  The space has mostly cleared, with a few lingering behind, most of whom are vortex’ed into liquored-up conversations, with exception to a small, isolated table which is shared between 3 suited men (much grayer than the usual suspects) who are holding their alcohol much better than the usual suspects as well.  This particular exclusive table is enthralled in a quiet conversation, with a private television, a table of beer, catching the beginning of the game between incognito conversations, all of which is being kept quite private. 

                In the same room, I’m sitting adjacent to 2 fine, young, over-served gentlemen I’m fairly certain wound up here from the Hill, discussing the state of our country and slurring their personal patriotism. “I mean…dude, I rreaaally love the Constah-tution,” divulging very little into any substantial political theory at this point.  Full confession - by the end of the night, I will be guilty of similar crimes myself, bickering with well-informed friends over whether or not the state of Texas will remain red or turn blue in the 2016 presidential election.  #onlyinDC  In my experience, veteran Hill staff tend to turn their noses at the thought of Cap Lounge after work, probably because at one time they’ve done this exact, roll-your-eyes-the-next-morning-in-embarrassment, type of thing.  I label it infamous because by the end of the night, it can be fall-down drunk, the last place that you didn’t need to visit on your way home from the evening’s shenanigans, yet you’re inside ordering another round and plunging money into the computerized jukebox. 

                Around 9:00, the majority of the trivia masses leave the bar, and Cap Lounge releases their Jerry Jones-sizedsuperdome screen (well, for a bar space it is huge) and we head upstairs to the main room.  The crowd has dwindled, but that will change before halftime.  The bar offers great specials for the football game, including $5 pizza which is my favorite from their food menu.  If pub grub is not pleasing your palette, the location is perfect to explore other eatable options-Top Chef’s Spike Mendelsohn offers 2 amazing restaurants: Good Stuff and We the Pizza, located just across the street, perpetually packed with power players including President Obama.  Cap Lounge is now packed with sports enthusiasts at this point, in particular New Englanders from the Hill, small business owners, veterans, lobbyists, and a few 2012 Presidential battleground campaign staff.  After 9:00 on most nights, you are bound to see just as diverse a crowd...

My last call:  great locality, interesting crowd, even more interesting conversations, most of which devolve into superficial matters.  It is the bar for workers of politics to unite, and a spot for the rest of the world to watch the beer-based bipartisan common ground burn up in flames. 

Until Next Time,

xo, Megan

Inaugural Gowns

As many of you know, my office is on Capitol Hill here in DC so I'm lucky enough to see the gorgeous capitol building every day. Congress officially began their new session last week, but the President doesn't start his new term for another two weeks or so.  I've been slowing watching the process as they've built the scaffolding, hung flags, and delivered more port-a-potties than you can imagine. With festivities kicking off next weekend I've been running around making sure I have dresses and accessories to all of the various events that weekend. I think I'll be attending 3 balls this year, most of them for work, so I need three different outfits. 

While I haven't decided yet, there are some things to consider for Inaugural balls. First... this is not prom. Obvious, but I haven't really had to wear long gowns since high school, so there's a whole new set of rules.  As with anything in DC the balls are potential networking events, so I need to stay some what professional. Strapless dresses are pushing it--- so make sure you have a wrap. This may not be the time to make a real statement with your fashion choices, so tone down the color and the trends. 

Here are a few dresses I think would be perfect. 

I really like the coverage of this dress. It's a gorgeous bright red, which is fun while still being patriotic (obviously this is an inaugural ball). 

Red Dress

Again, really liking the coverage of this dress, but the lace detail make it a little less stuffy. Plus it's emerald, so on point with the trends--- while not taking too many risks. 

Emerald Dress

While this dress is strapless, I really like it. The deep color is fun, yet professional and the beading is just enough to make the dress unique but again not overly flashy. A gorgeous pashmina and you're all set to hit the town.

Purple Dress

Again, this one has some sparkle (which we all know I love), but I adore the halter neck. The shoulders show a lot of skin but you do have to worry about cleavage.

Navy Blue Dress

So what would you wear to an inaugural ball?

Top 10 Beauty Favorites of 2012

It's been a while since I did a beauty review, and after reading so many "favorites of 2012" I thought I would hop on the bandwagon with my top 10 favorite beauty products of the year. It was surprisingly hard to narrow the list down to 10, but I did it! Woohoo! I tried to include a mix of high end and drugstore products, but I may try and find some dupes for the high end products-- if that's something y'all think you'd want to read! So with out further adieu, Blue Dog Belle's top 10 beauty finds of 2012.

Urban Decay Naked Palette was definitely my #1 favorite of 2012. I can honestly say I used it every single day I put shadow on my lids last year. AND even better than that- I have yet to hit the pan on any of the colors! I got Naked 2 for Christmas this year- and so far I'm loving it... it's definitely on it's way to being a favorite of 2013. 

Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation  I picked this up in the "How to look the best at everything"  kit and I can tell you it's the best foundation I've ever used. While it's on the expensive side I am amazed at the coverage. I have don't have great skin. It's splotchy, oily, a few noticeable acne scars, etc so I need a medium coverage foundation at minimum. Then I struggle with cakiness so it's an on going battle. This foundation has such a light feel, but the coverage is insane! 

Stila One Step Bronze was introduced to me this summer in a Birchbox and it quickly became the favorite of the summer. It's a great primer and ads a subtle depth of color and a little shimmer. On good days I would just wear this with a little powder, but I've been pulling it out lately to bring a little glow to my super pale winter face. 

NYX Retractable Lip Liner- I just discovered the awesomeness that is lip liner this summer, and this one is a great one. I have a few colors and the stay power is great. Super creamy and great pigmentation. I'd highly recommend these. 

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain -- This is probably my biggest find of 2012. I think I own seven. It's getting a tad excessive, but I have yet to find a shade I don't love. These are all matte, buildable, super pigmented, hydrating and long wearing. I love that it offers a lot of color impact with out having to worry about color bleeding or constantly re-applying.

Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara- I absolutely love this mascara. It makes my nonexistent blonde lashes transform into these dark soft and thick beauties that I only dream about.

Stila Custom Color Blush I cashed in some Birchbox points to pick this baby up and I'm SO glad I did! While it's hot pink in the pan it goes on very sheer, but is super buildable so you can have a bright pink glow or just a subtle hint of warmth. Plus it's matte, which I love. Shimmer is great, don't get me wrong, but when you do a shimmer highlight, shimmer in your powder, shimmer on the eyes, the lips, bronzer, etc. it's nice to balance it out with a little matte here and there. 

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Berry Smoothie-- I was introduced to the lip butters in 2011, but didn't pick up berry smoothie until this fall, and I am in love. It's the perfect berry color, and I love the pigmentation of this shade. There's no glitter but it doesn't seem to be totally matte either.  

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner another Birchbox find. I love eye liners in marker form and this one is great. Doesn't dry up, really easy to control, great staying power and awesome pigmentation. 

Be Right Back

I'm super busy today with work and just life in general. I start sewing class tonight with this pretty lady tonight. Not to mention I'm fighting a little bit of a post-redskins game headache. Sunday drinking is just not a good idea. I'm craving an amazing latte right about now... and lots of grease. Happy Monday Ladies!

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To the City I love

Today is the three year anniversary of my official arrival in the wonderful district of columbia. I can hardly believe it's been so long, yet I can't imagine living in any other city in the world. As I am thinking about potentially transitioning to a new city this year for school, I realize how much I love this town. The sights, the history, the restaurants, the culture--- I love it all. So tonight I want to celebrate 3 years of being a big girl, on my own, in the city of my dreams. Here's to you Washington. Cheers. 

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{Friday Fancies #14} New Year New Hopes

It's Friday! Yay! I'm loving this strange pseudo week. We should have tuesdays off more often! Plus I was on the hill all day yesterday for the kick off of the 113th Congress,  so it didn't really feel like a work day either. Now, on the the main event...

Green Top | Sequin Blazer | Jeans | Flats 

I'm loving this week's theme of "New Year New You." 2013 Promises to be a great new year. I'm obsessed that the Pantone color of the year is Emerald. Remember who called that? Wow, I'm awesome.

I'm loving the emerald trend and hope 2013 will have lots of it! Still loving leopard--- and I refused to leave it in 2012. Sorry. Color blocking? Yep. Love all the citrus combos for Spring. I'm officially obsessed with sequins after wearing my NYE look

I'm also, obviously, looking forward to going back to school (hopefully). Even if it is a professional school... I'm beyond excited to take advantage of the student lifestyle again. Jeans. Flexible schedule. No boring suits. Ugh. So excited

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!

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New Year New Skin-care Routine

Neutrogena Face Wash | Clarins Toner | Blistex | Fabulips | Juice Beauty Peel | Olay ProX | Clinique Moisture Surge | Philosophy Hope in a Jar | Juice Beauty Mask

Adding to the New Years Resolutions Floating around the blogosphere I wanted to talk to y'all briefly of my skin care plans for this year. I have always battled with my skin. Always. I used to have super oily skin. Then horrible acne. Then it got super dry. Somewhere in the last few years the acne has mostly dried up (thank goodness) but the oil is back--- and long days at a desk tend to make a gal forget to reapply her powder. I realized a few weeks ago that my skin routine was really non existent. Whatever face wash happened to be in the shower would suffice in the morning... at night I might use a washcloth and some warm water-- if I bothered to take my makeup off at all. Horrible I know. I know. I spend far too much time in front of the mirror applying makeup, and more than that... far too much money on my makeup, to waste on a poorly maintained canvas. 

So it's time to turn over a new leaf. Washing with my ProX. Toning to keep away oil. Moisturizing. Adding eye cream to fight bags and wrinkles. Gentile at home peels and regular exfoliation. That's my plan. Any suggestions? Or product ideas? These are a few I've tried samples of, or have used over the years. But I'm always looking for new ideas!

Happy Thursday!

Polka Dots and Curls

I spent the weekend with my bff a few weeks ago, and we obviously had to do a photo shoot for fun in downtown Williamsburg. 

Dress: forever21 {old} {similar} {love}  | Sweater {LOFT} | Belt {Macy's} | Tights {Macy's} | Coat {Target--old} | Bag {similar} | Glasses {similar}

Eyes: Naked Palette, L'Oreal Volumnous Mascara | Lips: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in Honey | Face : CoverGirl Foundation, boi-ing concealer, CoverGirl TRUblend Mineral Powder, The balm Hot Mama Blush

Well Hey There 2013

Happy New Year Ladies!  Hope you all had a fab night last night! I wanted to get started bright and early this morning with a check in on the 25 before 25 and add a few resolutions to the list!


1. find a job that makes me happy. {womp womp. Big fail}
2. clear out my closets {got started this weekend, hope to attack it some more today}
3. learn how to sew {got a sewing machine for Christmas}
4. read 25 books {12 of 25-- got some work to do}
5. take time for projects {sort of???}
6. work to make new friends {Blog friends count right?}
7. show up for the ones I have {Blog friends count right?}
8. do a spending freeze for a month {nope}
9. practice meditation/yoga {not so much}
10. do something unexpected {Dropped everything to go work on a Presidential Campaign}
11. go to New York {not yet, but lets get something on the books!}
12. fill my walls with art that i love {no}
13. save money {sorta}
14. focus on fitness {not succeeding... but hopefully that will change in 2013!}
15. get enough sleep {definitely succeeding}
16. take the LSAT {10/6 DONE}
17. host a themed dinner party {Not yet}
18. volunteer {Definitely did some political volunteer work, but I want to do more in 2013}
19. treat myself, because I'm worth it {treated myself to a post LSAT massage}
20. upgrade the camera {Not yet...}
21. make 25 things found on pinterest and blog about it. {1, 2 + 3, 4, }
22. practice making fun cocktails {here}
23. do a 5k {bahah. I'm not running outside. It's cold}
24. take a cooking class {If you hear of a good groupon or something, let me know!}
25. Blog every day for a month {December 2012. yep}
26. commit to continuing these goals once 25 comes and goes

Well... that's definitely progress since my last check in... but I still have a long way to go and less than four months to do it! Ahh! Now I want to add a few resolutions too: keep my car clean. spend more time enjoying dc. dedicate myself to the blog. Go back to yoga. de-clutter. read more.