Friday, April 15, 2011

The Friday Forum - April 15

The Virginia Bluebells are blooming, lending their beautiful blue nodding heads to the garden. I think they are lovely, particularly surrounded by yellow and white daffodils.

Yesterday afternoon, Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria was hopping with beauty lovers as InCircle started. I don't go for the credit card points; they don't matter to me. I go for all the nice people. Everyone from national makeup artists to regional account executives was there for InCircle. Yesterday was opening day, but the guest stars will continue to appear this weekend. One of my favorites, Rhona Samuels from Giorgio Armani Beauty, was at the Armani counter working her magic. Tina Horwitz was there working with Rhona. She's another favorite. They were showing off the Armani elegance, looking great themselves. I enjoy watching them.

What did I purchase this week? Bobbi Brown, M·A·C (yes me!), Le Métier de Beauté, fragrances galore - and more. If you want to explore Ormonde Jayne, they are offering free worldwide shipping right now. That's a deal! Use code EASTER at checkout until April 24. Gaia urged me to try some of the company's florals, so I ordered three. Free shipping from London saves a lot of money! Naturally, I hopped onto Sephora online and ordered for the VIB sale. I can't resist a discount.

This weekend, I'll start telling you about all the new goodies I purchased. For now? More American Idol commentary. I confessed that I had been watching this year, compelled by a need to sit still now and then. I was disappointed that Paul McDonald was eliminated. I loved his Rod Stewart style and big smile. I now understand the dynamics of the voting (teenage girls who are willing to text repeatedly), but I disagree with their choices. Heavy metal screamer James, off-and-on vocalist Stefano, and one-track country boy Scotty are not the best singers on the stage. This week, I was also disappointed by the judges, whose comments continue to confound me. Were you watching Wednesday when they announced that People had named Jennifer Lopez the most beautiful woman in America?

It's time for The Friday Forum. We use the forum to share information and chat. Did you find any deals you couldn't resist this week? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By Monday, most readers have moved on.

I have a dynamite giveaway contest going, thanks to the beautiful Rozz, J. Don't forget to enter here to win the FBR Cosmetics lip gloss of your choice. The deadline is tomorrow at midnight. If you win, you will love your new gloss. Take my word for it!

Photo courtesy of sierrapotomac.org

7 comments:

The Rhapsode said...

Since you've talked about Virginia bluebells, I'm missing Georgia now!

For Friday news: I'm re-working a press release I'm doing for my firm, and getting a crash course in social media stuff so that I can branch out from just writing press releases and such.

I'm so glad to see you looking so happy and going out and about! You are an absolute role model when it comes to tenacity and willpower. I've been feeling sick for a while so I think I better load up on the vitamins and such.

Cheers!

Charlestongirl said...

Oh no, Rhapsode, I'm sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. Hope you don't have the spring sinus blues.

I love work challenges and doing new things. Hope you enjoy branching out.

You are so nice - thank you. I'm happy to be going out again - even if it can wear me out a bit. It's so much fun to see "what's happening." Staying in has its benefits (rest, kitty time), but you miss a lot!

Abby said...

I can't wait to hear about your new goodies! I am very interested in your Bobbi Brown makeover.

I have decided that I don't like brown shades on my eyes anymore. They are making me look tired, but I am a little leary about branching out into color.

Now that I am middle aged, I find that I have to rethink everything when it comes to makeup.

Have a great weekend!....and don't forget to file that extension if you need to!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Abby,

I'll have to ask some of my buddies what might work for you. Have you tried a little shimmer on your eyelids in an eye-opening color like champagne? I find a little shimmer opens up my eyes and makes me look alive.

Eileen said...

My goodness, Charlestongirl, you've certainly been giving your credit cards a workout :-) I can hardly wait to read about all your latest purchases and learn more about your Bobbi Brown makeover. You all look so lovely and cheerful in the picture. Good times, good companions, beautiful things . . . Who could ask for more?

Lipstick! Does anyone else feel like tossing out all their old ones and replacing them with the new formulas? I find my older formulas are getting pushed further and further to the back of the drawer as I acquire new ones. And, boy, have I been aquiring new ones! I adore the light, balm-like textures with their delicate shimmer or soft shine finishes. And I love how smooth my lips feel even after the lipstick has worn off. This is the first year in a long time that I've been paying much more attention to lipsticks than to glosses.

Despite my earlier misgivings, after seeing your swatches of the new Chanel quad, I went to take a look and couldn't resist. I am really quite pleased with it. I love the dark green softly smoked along the lashes and into the > It's very pretty blended into the taupe. I'm even happy with the light green that had initially given me pause. I use it as a "spotlight" just above my iris and it does a lovely job of catching the light. As for the pink, what can I say? I rock pink! :-)

Hi Abby,
I sympathize with what you're going through. It's frustrating when colors and textures that used to work so well begin to seem "off". I went through the same thing as my hair changed from raven to silver. I agree with Charlestongirl about adding a judicious bit of shimmer. It can make a big difference. Abby, have you tried Lancôme's palette in Taupe Craze? It's a lovely collection of matte, satin, and shimmer in soft browns and taupes. Because there is a very slight tinge of pink to the hues, they won't make you look tired. Just a suggestion . . .

Whoopie! It's Friday. Happy weekend, everyone.

Abby said...

Eileen, I actually have been eyeing Taupe Craze, it looks so pretty. Charlestongirl, I think you are right, too. I'll dig out my Chanel Lotus and see how I can use it to add a glow.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Eileen,

My credit card is always getting a workout. I think AmEx would miss me if I were to give it a rest. :)

I knew you would succumb to the Chanel temptation. That quad is stunning.

I think you and I like the same characteristics in lipsticks, and I agree: This is our season! I'm buying so many because they are "me." Now, I'm looking forward to the YSL sheers. They are scheduled for July, but will come out a bit earlier than that, I'll bet. They are gorgeous!

Anyhow, I wore an older formula yesterday morning, and I was struck by how dry it felt. What used to feel creamy now feels dry by comparison.

Cheers!