Do your makeup, just like a professional!

My mom always manages to find the coolest gadgets for me every birthday and Christmas. In recent years I've recieved new digital cameras, a flip cam, a Kindle, and this year she gave me the girliest gadget yet -- a TEMPTU airbrush makeup system!

Used by makeup artists for years, airbrushes have provided more even coverage and a more natural look for makeup. TEMPTU makes these techniques more accessible to us ladies who want to be more fabulous on a daily basis ;)

Head over to Sephora for a tutorial on how to use TEMPTU. They will also show you which foundation goes best with your skin tone. I recommend picking up the highlighter as well to add a little sparkle to your look.

Learn more HERE

Be stylish... And charitable

Yet again Shoedazzle is supporting another cause with a stylish pair of shoes. This time around, they are offering the Little Diva bootie, designed by Kristin Chenoweth, and benefiting the Adoption Institute. In line with current trends, I have a feeling this shoe will be jazzing up my work wardrobe all winter long!

Even modern girls need a little Guidance

I work 7 days a week (juggling 2 jobs), go on multiple vacations a year, find time to work out, see my fabulous friends and incredible boyfriend, cook, clean, keep my closet organized, always make sure I have an unchipped manicure and keep up on world affairs. How do I do it all while remaining perfectly poised, made up and looking like I got enough sleep? I'm a modern girl...


...And it's actually not that hard! All those things your mom told you about keeping a polished appearance and clean home, she was right, but I never wanted to listen to her, until now.

You can be a career woman and domestic goddess. Jane Buckingham was in your shoes once too - and now she's helping us out. I'm currently reading her first book, The Modern Girl's Guide to Life, which teaches you everything from understanding sports (for some it's a foreign language) to hosting the perfect dinner party, to decorating your fabulous new bachlorette pad! I've also read The Modern Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations which I know will help me out soon considering I am prone to awkard situations.

Working women give this a read - you'll be glad you did!

I'll take a cosmopolitan AND a blue hawaiian!

Luxury jewelry company Piaget has put out a new line of cocktail rings - literally - the rings look like cocktails! I can't find any pricing on their website which is probably good because I won't be tempted to spend my entire savings account on one of 'em. They are pretty freakin' fabulous though!


CHECK EM OUT!

Another one of my recessionista secrets

Good makeup is hard to come by but you don't need to run off and spend hundreds of dollars at Sephora to keep yourself looking fresh-faced. Over the past 9 months I have tried out a lot of the make up offered by online-only site eyeslipsface (e.l.f) and have found the quality to be on par with much more expensive brands. The best part - most of the makeup and brushes on the site will run you $1-$5. Even better- they always have a sale going on, whether it by buy one get one %50 off, or all mineral makeup 20% off.

Go ahead and check out some eyeliner/eyeshadow colors you wouldn't normally use! For $1, you won't be breaking the bank and who knows - you might find a new look!


e.l.f.

Shoedazzle does it again... x3

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and yet again Shoedazzle has done something to benefit Susan G. Komen. Last year they wowed with the sexy hot pink Stephanie shoe and this year they're offering a shoe, a bag and a scarf - all named after women with breast cancer. The Beth shoe is in line with this falls trend of bright booties, while the Hope clutch and Baila scarf are a fun and flirty animal print. If you're a member of Shoedazzle, all three items will be featured in your showroom. If not - just answer a few questions about your style and within a few days they'll have 5 custom picked out shoes for you AND the three featured styles.

Time to get giving and get stylin'!

Check it out and learn more HERE

Lady Gaga's meat dress... Gross or genius?

Everybody's been talking about it the past few days... GROSS in my opinion.

I think we should all get over it and talk about how FAB!!!! Cher looked in her "Turn Back Time" outfit.

Image Source

FIERCE... and Affordable

I first fell in love with Christian Siriano's designs when he was on Project Runway. Some people found him cocky and annoying, but his talent really put him in a class of his own. And anyone who can make Victoria Beckham smile is doing something very RIGHT when it comes to fashion.

While he may be known for making high concept cutting edge designs, his style is more accessible than one might think. He designs shoes and accessories for Payless! When I first heard about the partnership, I thought it was too good to be true! But now, a year later, I own 2 pairs of shoes and 2 handbags, and Siriano just keeps 'em coming.

His Spring 2011 Fashion Week runway show yesterday showcased his talent for high drama dresses but it also showcased one more thing - HIS SPRING 2011 PAYLESS DESIGNS. He's really tugging at my heart strings with these - I want them all, and retailing for $50 or less, I can afford to buy them all if I chose.

Who says you can't look fierce on a budget ;)

look to the right!

my tweets are now on the right sidebar of the blog. check 'em out :)

I was stylin' in 1991....

Cute shoes for a good cause

I've long been a fan (about a year) of ShoeDazzle, the members only website that gets you a new pair of shoes for $39.95/month. One of my favorite things about the website is that a few times a year they offer a shoe specially designed to benefit a cause. Last October they offered a hot pink shoe to benefit breast cancer. They've also offered heart health and autism awareness shoes. Their most recent, is a nude shoe designed by Kristen Bell to benefit the Art of Elysium, which offers a variety of artistic workshops to children with serious illnesses. I've already ordered my pair :)

Image via ShoeDazzle

Current Obsession

At the top of my birthday wish list (even though it's a month and a half away)... This Diane von Furstenburg Kindle cover!

Last year for my birthday my mom bought me a Kindle and I've been reading non-stop ever since. Right now I have a red leather case for mine, and yes, its' cute, but ever since seeing this one I've been OBSESSED. DVF is known for classic designs, and I LOVELOVELOVE that the label is embracing modern technology by designing this ebook cover. So many others are very bulky looking but this is super sleek.

And if you know me then you know I can't get enough leopard print. Imagine if blue leopards actually existed ;)

IMAGE SOURCE

Sample Sale Heaven

Anyone who knows me knows that if I could, I'd spend all my money shopping. If I can't spend my money shopping, then I'm looking online at all the things I want to buy. Well, here comes the biggest (and most tempting) mid-day distraction - I'm a part of quite a few online sample sale websites that offer designer clothes for a lot less than department stores. How does it work? First, you have to be invited. Shoot me an email: raqlugo@gmail.com if you're interested. Once you're invited, they send you an email with what that day's sales are. They usually last 24-48 hrs or until everything sells out. Act fast, because they can sell out quickly. Usually it takes about 10 business days to get your purchases, but with these prices, it is well worth it!

Some of the deal's I've taken advantage of: $400 Trina Turk trench coat for $68. $200 T-bags dresses for $60, $180 Voom by Joy Han dress for $30, $100 Kitson jacket for $25.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Gilt Groupe
Hautelook
ideeli
RueLaLa
Swirl by Daily Candy
Billion Dollar Babes
Beyond the Rack

Again, if you want an invite, shoot me an email at raqlugo@gmail.com and I'll send one over to ya. Always glad to share my shopping secrets with others :)

NEW BLOG FORMAT

If you are reading this, then you know I've switched over from runraquelrun.blogspot.com (don't click it won't work) to raquelwrites.blogspot.com I figured I had a lot more to say about a lot of different topics - and this would give me a lot more freedom. Don't worry though, runraquelrun is not gone from your lives forever - all posts relating to HEALTH topics will be labelled runraquelrun. As for the other things I plan on writing about, here is how they will be tagged...

FOOD: raquelwantsseconds
FASHION: workitraquel
TRAVEL: raqstarworldtour

Hope you enjoy!