Favorite Product Friday: SpyHop!!!

On May 11, 2012May 11, 2012 By all dolled upIn Favorite Products, Outfit IdeasLeave a comment

Ok, ok, so this post isn’t really about a favorite product this week. Instead, it is actually about one of my favorite non-profit organizations here in Salt Lake-SpyHop. My hubs and I attended their annual spring fund-raiser last night, and I was so inspired, I just had to share about it with all of you!!

So what exactly is SpyHop? It is an incredible organization in our community that supports and empowers youth in the arts and media (a cause near and dear to my heart as I was very involved in the arts in high school and a vocal performance major in college). A very good friend of ours is the Director of Development at SpyHop and invited Justin and I to attend an event a couple of years ago. I was so blown away by and impressed with the kids that I saw presenting and speaking in front of hundreds of people, that I knew I had to be a supporter. Here is the mission statement directly from their website to give you a better idea of exactly what they are all about:

Spy Hop Productions is a nonprofit youth media arts and educational enrichment center located in the historic Art Space district of downtown Salt Lake City. Our purpose is to empower youth to express their voice and with it create a positive change in their lives, their community, and the world. Our mission is to encourage free expression, self-discovery, critical thinking and skilled participation via the big screen, the airwaves, and the web.

How cool is that? Makes me wish I could go back in time and become involved as a youth! And even more interesting, SpyHop isn’t some crazy acronym, or a made up name, it is, in fact, a real word (who knew?):

SPY • HOP (v): The act in which a dolphin rises above the water in order to navigate and determine its position in relation to other members of the pod. 2. To look ahead. 3. To tune in.

The event we attended last night was all about raising funds to support these kids in their endeavors. We got to see them get up and pitch their ideas (short films, documentaries, music aspirations, apprenticeship opportunities, etc.) and then the audience was able to bid on the various programs and projects. There were so many incredible ideas in need of funding that we couldn’t pick just one this year, so we chose a few to support including their music program, a film about music therapy, and a documentary chronicling heroine use among high school teens in the SLC. And I am happy to report that all of the projects and programs received the full funding they needed last night to turn dreams into reality. And as supporters, we will get to see the end result and view the final projects next fall at an event called Pitchnic.

And of course it wouldn’t be a complete post if I didn’t share with you what I wore, and a few pictures from our evening (including guest speaker Ty Burrell-aka Phil Dunphy from Modern Family- and he was HYSTERICAL!!!)!!

Dress: RACHEL Rachel Roy via Macy’s

Military Jacket: Forever21

Feather Earrings: The Icing

Clutch: Michael Kors via TJMaxx

Bracelets: Tiffany

Gold and Tortise Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Shoes: Chinese Laundry Love Me (I know I wear these all the time, but they are SO comfy!)

I really can’t tell you enough how incredibly inspired I was last night by these talented youth, their creativity, and the poise and boldness they showed in their ideas and aspirations. It takes a lot of courage to stand up in front of that many people and they all did it flawlessly. And it wasn’t just the kids, last night. I was also incredibly inspired my community and their dedication to supporting this incredible cause.

Please feel free to visit the SpyHop website to learn more. You can also make a donation if you wish to be involved or a supporter from afar. Every dollar counts-especially in a time where today’s youth really need us to rally around and support the arts in our communities.

And a special thank you to Larissa Trout for getting J and I involved. I can’t wait to see all of the projects presented to us last night in their completion in the Fall.

Happy weekend!!!!

Fave Product Friday: Dry Shampoo

On May 4, 2012May 8, 2012 By all dolled upIn Favorite Products, Uncategorized4 Comments

Happy, happy Friday everyone! Friday is always my favorite day of the week, but I feel especially excited about its arrival this week as I spent the last few days on the road for work-which is always fun, but totally and completely exhausting. So I am so looking forward to kicking back and enjoying a weekend away with my hubby in the town where we first met, beautiful Bozeman, Montana.

But before I head off to revisit all of our old stomping grounds, I wanted to share with you about dry shampoo. I am LOVING this stuff, I mean seriously LOVING it! I have heard people talk about it for years, but when my hairdresser told me to give my hair a break and not wash and style it everyday, I needed a good alternative-and fast. Enter: Bumble and Bumble dry shampoo.

This stuff is awesome for so many reasons: it smells great, gives my hair amazing volume, covers up my roots when I am in between colorings, and even works great as an extra volume booster on days when I do wash my hair. It has become an everyday staple for me.

But recently, when I realized I was out of it late one evening before heading out of town for a work trip, my only option was to run to the grocery store and pick up a cheap substitute to hold me over. I randomly purchased the new Suave Keratin version, not really thinking much of it. But I have to tell you, I am now a convert. I like the smell better, it lasts longer, and is about 1/3 of the price. And even though there is a drastic price difference, they both work equally as well, in my opinion. So from now on, I am going to save a little cash-ola and go with the Suave dry shampoo-my husband will be so proud. 🙂

Proof once again that you can look like a million bucks without spending it. 😉

Happy weekend!!!!!!

P.S. If you have dark hair, the Bumble and Bumle might be a better choice since you can purchase it in different colors to match your locks. The drugstore versions works great for blondes, but might look a little powdery on brunettes. And you definitely don’t want that!

Favorite Product Friday: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide Eyeliner

On April 27, 2012April 27, 2012 By all dolled upIn Favorite Products, Uncategorized10 Comments

I rarely wear eye shadow, but I LOVE eyeliner and wear it almost every day. I have light eyes, and think it really helps define them so that they don’t disappear into my face. So of course I have tried a lot of different eyeliners over the years and was in fact a fan of MAC for a long time (I still have one that I use, which you can see here). But a couple of years ago when I kept seeing Urban Decay touted as the best black eyeliner in several of my favorite fashion magazine (including Allure and Glamour), I knew I had to try it. And I have to tell you, once I tried it, I never looked back.

Black is a little harsh for my coloring so the first color I tried was Stash (a greenish/gold) and it wasn’t just the gorgeous color that won me over, it was the product as a whole. 24/7 Glide is the softest and creamiest liner I have ever used-no pressing or stretching of your lids to get a nice even application. And because it goes on so soft and so easy, I was initially concerned that it would smudge or melt away during the day, but that was not the case at all. This liner lasts, and lasts, and lasts. It doesn’t smear or fade away-it looks exactly the same when I take it off at night as it does when I put it on in the morning. And while I probably shouldn’t admit this, I have had several lazy nights where I have slept in my make up (yikes!) but wake up with it looking exactly the same as it did the day before. And perhaps even more amazing than that, despite its staying power, it comes off easily with eye makeup remover or face wash in the shower.

I can’t express enough how much I love this eyeliner. And not only is the product itself fabulous, they offer so many colors which range in a spectrum from wild to natural. In fact, my mom and aunties now use these liners, as does my sister-in-law, lots of my friends, and several of my co-workers. And everyone I know who has tried this product is now a convert too. So if you are looking for a new eyeliner, this is truly the one to try. People ask me all the time how I am able to keep my makeup looking the same throughout the day (without any touch ups), and this little liner is just one of my many secrets.

Happy weekend!

P.S. My favorite colors are: Stash, Oil Slick, Demolition, Bourbon, and Crash. There is also a 24/7 Glide Eyeshadow pencil which I have not tried, but it gets rave reviews. Check out reviews for both products here and here.

Favorite Product Friday: Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara

On April 20, 2012April 23, 2012 By all dolled upIn Favorite ProductsLeave a comment

People ask me all the time about the types of product that I use, so I thought it would be fun to share one of my favorite products with my readers every Friday. And for my very first Favorite Product Friday post, I want to talk about Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara-one of my favorite products. EVER.

Now I LOVE mascara. It is my staple beauty product and would be what I would choose if I could only have one piece of makeup. And so, I have tried every mascara under the sun (Bad Gal, Mac, Dior, Bare Essentials, Clinique, Lauder, Lancome, Bobbi Brown, etc.) searching for the perfect combination of volume, length, and durability. And shockingly, it has been this inexpensive little mascara, in a brightly colored orange tube that has totally, and completely won me over. Here’s why:

1. It doesn’t smudge

2. It doesn’t flake

3. It stays put all day(no racoon eyes here!)

4. It is the perfect combo of volume and length

5. It isn’t clumpy (and I put on A LOT of mascara)

6. It costs under $10

7. You can pick it up at the grocery store-which is a HUGE convenience

8. You can go through a lot of it and not break the bank

9. The unique brush makes for easy application

And the final reason why I LOVE this mascara so much (drum roll please!!!!!):

10. When I met Tre Cool (the drummer from Green Day) at a bar in San Francisco this winter, he liked my mascara so much, he asked me to put some on him. And of course I obliged (and nervous as I was, only got a little on his eyelid!), and guess what?? He LOVED it too. In fact, he liked it so much, I would not be surprised to find out that he and rest of the Green Day crew are now all wearing this fabulous mascara.

(me and Tre Cool at the Tipsy Pig in SF about to get our mascara on)

So if you haven’t tried it, please do. I am sure you will love it-I do and these little lashes of mine won’t be using anything else anytime soon.

Happy Favorite Product Friday!!!

P.S. Please don’t forget to leave a comment if there is a product you are curious about or would like me to feature in a Favorite Product Friday post!!! And don’t forget to follow me via email, Twitter, and Facebook for updates on new posts!!!