..."Every pretty girl deserves to go to a ball."

One of the funniest lines from Jim Carrey's 'Yes Man' movie.

But who would've thought I'd get a chance to go to the 47th Annual Petroushka Ball at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC which benefits the Russian Children's Welfare Society.

I had only a month to find a gown and I was on a strict $200 budget. And from my experience...the hard part isn't coming across beautiful gowns..the hard part is sticking to a budget and finding a gown that does NOT go over that said budget.

I had searched everywhere...in every dept and every dress store, during every sale...I eventually moved my search online...and BINGO! I found it! And let me tell you...when you know you KNOW. I had come across a few really pretty gowns but when I saw this one I just KNEW IT. :)

DECODE 1.8 Bow-Waisted Gown
$184 on Sale

Unfortunately, only size 0 is left. :(

As for the accessories, since I went with a black gown I wanted a pop of color. I instantly thought of Angelina Jolie at the 2009 Oscars.

So I was on the hunt for emerald tear drop earrings. I went with RenttheRunway.com and rented these Kenneth Jay Lane Emerald Teardrops for $25! These sell for $100+ !

OOTW: Happy 2012

Express sweater

Old Navy tank

Leggings

Aerosoles boots

Forever21 necklace

 Willi Smith via TJ Maxx sweater

Old Navy tank

Leggings

Aerosoles boots

Target watch

Old Navy tank

Candies cardigan via Kohls

Leggings

Aerosoles boots

Kohls necklace

Nautica striped shirt

Sweater vest via TJ Maxx

Leggings

Aerosoles boots

 LOFT sweater

Harmons necklace

Zara Pants

Aerosoles wedges

Macys bracelet

 Lauren Conrad via Kohls sweater tunic

TJ Maxx scarf

Leggings

Aerosoles boots

 Michael Kors via TJ Maxx sweater tunic

Leggings

Aerosoles wedges

H&M belt

 GAP sweater tunic

Leggings

Aerosoles boots

Necklace via Nordstrom Rack

 Lavish via TJ Maxx sweater

Zara pants

Aerosoles wedges

Forever21 necklace

 Zara sweater

H&M belt

LOFT tee

Michael Kors jeggings via Bloomingdales

Old Navy flats

 Sheer sweater via Dillards

Old Navy tank

Leggings

Aerosoles boots

Forever21 necklace

Zara top

Zara pants

Aerosoles wedges

Harmons necklace

LOFT top

Target tank

House of Deron jeans via TJ Maxx

Aerosoles wedges

Harmons necklace

Liz Claiborne sweater via TJ Maxx

New York & Co. necklace

Fragile gray jeans via Sears

Aerosoles wedges

Outfits of the Month: Merry Xmas & Happy New Year

Instead of OOTW I had to change it to Outfit of the Month haha. December is always a crazy month due to the holidays but I can't complain. I love getting together with family and I have a huge one. Both my father and mother have 6 brothers and sisters on each side so needless to say I have a lot of aunts, uncles & cousins. It's the best, I would be so bored if I had a small family.


Hope everyone had a good holiday. :)

Express sweater
Target tank
Zara leggings
Aerosole boots
Scarf via TJ Maxx
Earrings gifted
Aeropostale bracelet

Express sweater & tank
Target gold watch
Charlotte Russe necklace
Zara leggings
Aerosoles boots

INC sweater dress via MACYs
vintage belt
Aerosoles wedges

Lauren Conrad blazer via Kohls
Forever21 lace top
Target tank
Lauren Conrad knit leggings via Kohls
Franco Sarto suede heels via Ideeli

Target top & tank
Forever21 necklace
Vera Wang cardigan via Kohls
17/21 jeans via TJ Maxx
Aerosoles boots

Ralph Lauren collared button-up shirt - gifted
Forever21 high-waisted jeans $30
vintage belt
Ann Taylor bracelet
Juicy Couture wedge boots via TJ Maxx $120
Grey vest via TJ Maxx

Purple Cardigan via Costco
Ann Taylor scarf & bracelet
Zara leggings
Aerosoles boots
Etsy necklace

INC black vneck wrap via MACYs
Forever21 faux fur vest & studded belt
17/21 jeans via TJ Maxx
Aerosoles wedges
Target gold watch

Zara top $50
House of Dereon jeans via TJ Maxx
Old Navy studded flats
Target gold watch

H&M silk tunic top $20
vintage belt
Michael Kors jeggings via Bloomingdales $20 on sale
Aerosoles wedges

Ann Taylor silk top
Zara navy drape sweater
H&M belt
Lauren Conrad knit pants via Kohls
Aerosoles wedges

Express sweater
Forever21 studded bracelet
BodyCentral.com ruffle top
17/21 jeans via TJ Maxx
Aerosoles wedges

FINALLY!

I am finally happy to announce, after much handwork, my very own Freelance Makeup Artist website complete with makeup looks modeled by my very beautiful friends & family members.


Please feel free to check it out! If you happen to be interested in my services shoot me a message! xox

LeslieMakeup

Photo credit via Afrobella.com

Products I LOVE: Wrap these up!

Here are a few little gems that may or may not be on your Xmas list as well. ;)

Urban Decay
Cheek Tint in Quickie

 This cheek tint looks super pigmented when it's in the compact, but once you sheer out on the apples of your cheeks it gives you a cute little natural looking glow. LOVE! :) However, when Xmas time rolls around I always have a hard time asking my Mom or a family member for any cosmetics from Urban Decay or NARS b/c the names of the colors are..well what's the word...sexual lol? Makes it super weird so I buy these for myself haha.

MAC
Fast Response Eye Cream

 I've always had dark and deep under eye circles for as long as I can remember. However, it doesn't matter what type of concealer I use (cream or liquid) I always have a lot of dryness under my eyes...which doesn't make sense since my skin is oily for the most part. So I decided to pick this up to use under my concealer and we'll see how it goes.

UPDATE 12/23/11: I actually LOVE this product. It's super silky when you apply under the eye and it actually keeps my concealer looking fresh all day long! I was pleasantly suprised! :)

MAC
Fix Plus

 This dewy moisturizing spray always helps make my foundation look more natural. I've used it plenty of times in the past along with ALL of the Urban Decay sprays as well as MakeUp For Ever's spray. They've all worked great so no preference to me.

Illamasqua
Nail Varnish in Purity

Can I tell you how LONG I've been looking for THE perfect peachy polish!? Since last spring! And I don't care that we are now officially in Winter b/c I will STILL wear this gorgeous polish haha.

Urban Decay
Lip Stain in Envious

Just a TOUCH of this lip stain and it gives you a gorgeous natural tint to your lips. Think Zooey Deschanel, Lauren Conrad, all of the Pretty Little Liars lol. The pic DOES NOT do it any justice!

Products I'm Loving at the Moment!

Here are some fantastic products, new & old, that I'm loving at the moment. :)

MAC Creme Cup Lipstick

Amazing Cosmetics Concealer in Medium Golden.

I've used Amazing Cosmetics Concealer in the past & I always come back to it. A little teeny tiny drop goes a LONG way. No joke! The price is worth it!

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Foundation

The MUA at the counter matched me to Buff, but it's just a tad too light for my skintone. Other than that, the formula of the foundation is super light with medium coverage & not too greasy. Love it!

I use for the day-time with or without makeup on top. It has a light citrus-y smell but moisturizing without being too greasy.

It's a nice light lavendar smell for night-time. When I wake up in the AM, my face feels perfectly moisturized meaning not greasy, which was usually a problem with most heavier night-time moisturizers.

BLOG SALE & My Ebay

First up are some New & some Pre-owned items I'm selling through Ebay.

If you're interested, click on the image and it will re-route you to my Ebay pages. 

Towards the bottom of this page are items I am selling through my blog.

If you are interested in the item please msg me. (First come, first serve basis!)

*Shipping is already included in the price of the item!

**US based only, I do not yet ship Internationally, sorry!

--------------SELLING THROUGH MY BLOG---------------

NEW!
Adrienne Vittadini Oversized Racerback Tank
Size SMALL
$10

Vintage
DOONEY & BOURKE Vintage ESSEX in White & British Tan
$80