My “Beat the Heat” Products: Prime, Set, and Go!

Is your face melting by midday? Do you find that your makeup is basically gone by the time you get to work because the blazing summer sun has melted it off? If so, it sounds like you need the help of some serious summer beauty products. Luckily for you, I’ve gone through a lot of trial and error in trying to figure out how to “Beat the Heat’ and keep my makeup fresh. My process is all about prevention. What can I do to stop looking like a Salvador Dali painting? I prime and set. Below is my routine for going out on a hot day or evening.

Marie Claire: Women in Business Event

Orlando, The City Beautiful, just as we were growing to be the best of friends, the city threw some curve balls. These include torrential rainfalls on the only days I don’t have my umbrella, crowding of the malls with busloads of tourists on the only days I have time to shop, and closing every restaurant near me at 9:00pm on the days I need to grab food late.

But then, just as I was about to give up hope on the city, I got invited to The Women in Business Event hosted by Marie Claire and Ruth Chris Steakhouse. It’s almost as if the city wanted to cut me a break and take me out on a nice date. This time it pulled out all the stops.

"Beat the Heat" and Keep it Cool

Imagine this, if you will:

You open the door of your cool, even cold air conditioned home, cautiously step outside - and immediately feel like you’ve been engulfed in flames. As you rush to your car, your skin starts to boil, melt. You throw open your car door, crank the AC, and stand as the car crackles.You wait.

When the temperature inside the car registers a chilly 95 degrees, you’re ready to climb in, drive away, and start your day. Welcome to the Sunshine State.

Now, don’t let all this firey talk fool you, I love this state. I’ve lived in Florida for most of my life (and before that, the Caribbean) and I’ve resigned myself to the heat. In fact, after years of sweating, uh, misting lightly, I’ve found ways to make it look good. And I’m excited to share my tips and tricks with the Florida Fashion Blogger Link-Up.

Colors of My Youth

It’s no secret that I’m a Florida girl. I have spent most of my life living in some city in Florida, which I love. However, I can’t help that occasionally I have angst over the memories of my distant hometown. It’s as if the island whispers to me at night, “Come back…we miss you”. I find myself longing for the hot summer days that I spent lazily on a hammock by the water. How did I rush so quickly through life that those carefree tropical summers seem like memories from a former life?

Thrifty Thursday: The War for the Crossbody Bag

I don’t know about you guys but Thrifty Thursdays are my favorite posts. I get way more excited from finding a diamond in the ruff than grabbing clothing from an already styled mannequin. Don’t get me wrong, there is also a special joy that comes with getting a spankin’ new piece but right now I’m talking about a different type of joy.

Loving Me Some California

A little while ago the company I work for sent me to San Diego for a conference. I know, what a sacrifice. I absolutely love that city. The tranquil ambiance and unique culture make the city irresistible to any hardworking business woman. As soon as I stepped off the plane I couldn't help but be pulled into the relaxed California vibe. I tried my best to stay focused but by the second day of the conference I had let my hair down and left the black power suit somewhere on the the hotel room floor. Instead, I slipped into bright shorts, a breezy linen blouse, comfy leather sandals, and a cool Carlos Santana fedora hat. I had fully accepted and integrated into the San Diego laid back philosophy. Sure, there were seminars occurring and meetings I should have probably attended, but who has time for that when I'm busy strolling around the marina? Sometimes a girl has to re-evaluate her priorities and take some time to enjoy a beautiful sunny afternoon. I'm sure my employer would understand...maybe.

Taking Care of Business (with my Christian Louboutin)

You might remember from this post that I was surprised on my birthday with a pair of Christian Louboutin Rolando pumps. Since then, I’ve been debating when and where to debut these beauties. After all, you can never have a “first time” again, so it had to be special. I wanted it to be an event where it would really stand out among the crowd. After much debate, I decided the perfect occasion was my profession’s annual conference. It is typically known as a conservative and professional gathering, but why not spice it up with some unexpected red soles? When I slipped the pumps on, I felt an instant burst of excitement and energy running from my toes to the top of my head. It was official, I was ready to network, discuss research ideas, and negotiate contracts. I was unstoppable. When I crossed my legs during seminars there weren’t eyes in the room that didn’t gravitate towards those red soles. Who can blame them? It’s definitely not a pair of shoes for the shy at heart. And I definitely was not feeling shy. I was equipped with my power suit and my Loubis. I was ready to stand out and use that confidence to my advantage. In the end, it turned out to be a great conference with new contacts and potential clients. Was it because of the Louboutins? Or my confidence? Or a little bit of both? I guess I'll never know!