We all found out on Black Friday 2008 that the United States has been in a recession since December 2007.  *No duh!!* But anyhoo, in these shaky times, everyone still wants to look good.  There will still be some holiday events to attend, so glam it up (in moderation, of course)!!

So here is my holiday wish list.

Urban Decay Velvet Rope 24/7 Glide-On Pencil Travel

I have the VIP travel set and I really like them. The colors are brilliant and beautiful.  The Velvet Rope speaks to my conservative side, I can work these for an everyday “no-fuss” look.

Barry M Nail Paint in Racing Green

I am really liking Barry M’s Nail Paint. The formula is thick enough and the colors are rich. I have been desiring a smoky green shade for the winter months, but I have looked high and low to no avail, so Santa, I better see this underneath my tree.

Eyeko Fat Balm Tint For The Lips And Cheeks

I saw this item on Asos.com and every time I place an order, I fail to put in my basket, but I do want it.  The Eyeko Fat Balm Tint For The Lips And Cheeks retails for $7 and change, but the US retailers sell it for upwards of $13. (The Shipping is a flat rate @ asos.com, so I usually make a list of must haves to make the purchase worthwhile.)

Bourjois Shimmering Shine Eyeshadow in Smokey Grey

I have the Pink shimmering shine eye shadow and I like it, so I think the grey would be great for creating a soft, smoky shimmery look. I wished I bought it when Sephora had it in the clearance section, but I snoozed. Thank goodness for asos.com

Nouba 60 Single Eye Shadow

Nouba 60 is described as “shimmery golden brown with olive undertones.”  This shade would be great for my holiday look I am planning. (blending with Purely Cosmetics’ Cream To Powder shadows).  Get your Cream To Powder shadows TODAY!!!

Nouba 22 Single Eye Shadow

The color description is “toffee flecked with purple shimmer” sounds very enticing me…like I need to have it now. Santa, you will be on NOTICE, if I do not get the Nouba shadows.  I got my eyes on you, man. lol

Urban Decay Deluxe Eye Shadow Box

This is a must have for all true beauty connoisseurs! I absolutely love and the price is great for the Shadow Box ($36) considering that a single Deluxe eye shadow costs $18.  Check out reviews on Total Beauty of the Urban Decay Deluxe Eye Shadow Box and any other beauty products.

Happy Holidays,

Mix Maven

Today was the first snowfall and, of course, I was bitter because last week the temps were in the high 60s and low 70s, plus I had an early morning appointment.   So to make my day go better, I decided to use one of my Nouba eye shadows, #61 (will post swatches).  Since, I have been obsessing on pink e/s, I wanted to get back to the purples, which are my favorite e/s colors….but purple is not even my favorite color! *Go figure*

(All products are MAC unless stated)

Face

• MSF Dark
• NYX Concealer in Nutmeg

Eyes

• Matte Gel
• L’Oreal De-Crease Base
• Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Prenup
• Nouba Single e/s  61 on lid
• Ben Nye Amethyst
• Glamour Check e/s
• Purely Cosmetics Cream To Powder in Brown
• Tan side from the L’Oreal Hip Duo Adventurous (highlighter)
• L’Oreal Naturale Mascara in Black
• Duel Edge Eye Liner (Black Funk/Punk Blue) Black side only

Cheeks

Warmed MSF

Lips

• She-Boom lip gelee
• Urband Decay Sparkler Pen – Flare

In other News:

Urban Decay is having a Friends and Family sale from 11-10-2008 to 11-18-2008. The coupon code is FFH30 The discount is 30% off…woo hoo! So stock up for yourself and/or for holiday gifts.

Still working on finding a Wordpress theme that I love that really works well.  I am thinking ‘how hard can this be’, but I think I am getting close.

Happy Haulin’,

Mix Maven

Hey Pumps and Glossy ones,

Every woman needs several clutches in her life. These mini-handbags do not hold the kitchen sink, but the bare essentials to keep you looking fresh for night out.

I can always trust JCrew to have classic, yet unique products. Navy accessories that are not boring can be to find. I am totally in love with this navy clutch. I like the visual interest of the “hand-painted paillettes on linen.” This clutch is a must have for my collection.

Bottega Veneta’s Lizard Clutch. I love, love, love this clutch. This metallic lizard clutch is a must have for those women who have $4500 USD to spend. I also love the details, the knot closure, the gold/silver tones. Well done Bottega Veneta!!

Gucci, Gucci, Gucci, I love thee. I think this clutch is just breathtaking. The Tippy evening bag is made from “platinum leather with platinum resin stone detail.” Pure luxury!

Mix Maven

I do not mind cool weather, I just do not like cold weather. I swear that this winter has been the coldest on record. (probably not) I am totally looking forward to Spring.  Spring time is pedicure season, which means SANDALS & PEEP TOE PUMPS!!!

Christian Louboutin always keeps his shoes interesting. I am curious who was the inspiration for this shoe: a silver lace-up slingback. I do not think I would wear this shoe, but I am sure there are plenty of ladies out there that would.

I love green in most shades. These Nine West special occasion slingback in a medium green satin is adorable. The heel is 4.5 inches, therefore you must have beaucoup de confidence! I know Joyful Radiance will love this shoe.

Nine West also has a delightful leather kitten-heeled slingback in mid-tone green. I would pair this shoe with a classic sheath dress.

I want to give an honorable mention to Marc by Marc Jacobs Purple suede peep-toe pumps with silver stones. My friend, Renita, loves purple and would want these shoes badly. I love the classic yet chic look.

I love the shimmer and shine of it all. My favorite of the season:

Stuart Weitzman Luxury Evening Sandal. I have a couple weddings to attend this summer and you might see me rocking these captivating sandals. I do not think these shoes are made for walking, so you may not see me wearing them on the dance floor.

Are you all looking forward to Spring?

Check out Paolo Nutini’s song “New Shoes”

Mix Maven

 Happy Holidays!!!

Wow, it seems as though the time is just flying by that it is almost the end of 2007.  Well, Glossy Ones, I truly hope everyone ate well during the Thanksgiving holiday as well as had a productive shopping day the day afterward.  Like my cohorts, I, too, am posting my wish list for the holiday season.

Here is my list:

I love to cook and make everything easy.  I love this slow cookers especially since you can go turn it on before you leave home in the morning and come home to a meal ready for eating.  I can’t figure out why I never had one in the first place.  It’s a hassle to come home and figure out what you want to eat when it could be cooking while you’re at work.

I was at the House of Dereon website and this is on the cover, but I saw it first in Vibe.  I love the dress that Beyonce is wearing.  I could ROCK that dress.  This is truly a wish because it is not being sold on the website.  I checked every link on the page, but I am putting this on my wish anyway. 

I can not believe that I have grey suits, but no shoes to set it off.  So these grey shoes from JCPenny are nice for the work day. 

All of my friends know I love me some Bath and Body Works.  I even got my boyfriend to use the plugins at his house.  So this lovely basket is nice for those long days at the office or if you just want to relax and enjoy a NICE HOT BATH.  I also will take Bath and Body Works gift cards.

I couldn’t post without having a sexy item.  Well, I took a different approach since this is my Christmas wish list.  I absolutely love “Sex in the City”.  I can not wait for he movie to be released in May. Yipppppeeeeeeee!!!!  In order to complete my collection, I need seasons 2, 5 and 6 part 1.  A lot of places are still sold out. 

I need a wallet for my purse and I love this wristlet.  I have checked out the wallets and the one I want costs almost as much as my purse!

I don’t get to the movies that often this year, but I do enjoy a good movie every now and then.  A gift card helps especially at the concession stand.  It costs more to eat in the movie theatre than watch the movie itself.

I wish everyone a Safe and Merry Holiday.

Sensual Element 

Hey Pumps and Glossy Ones,

Mix Maven is feeling refreshed from the Thanksgiving break. Thankfully, the dinner went well and I was nice and full.

I enjoy Christmas. Even though, I do not always decorate my home for Christmas, the season is held very closely in my heart.

My favorite Christmas song ever is “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway. No one, and I mean NO ONE, sings this song as good he did. (Ok, honorable mention to Gloria Estefan, who comes the closest.)

Here is my Christmas Wish List:

MAC fans can never have enough MAC products, especially the brushes. This face brush set is a great for traveling. (Sidebar: Readers, please let me know if your thoughts on MAC loose beauty powders.)

Whoa lurdie, I love this Pink Satin Peep Toe Sandal by Christian Louboutin. These shoes are wonderful addition to any closet. I would pair them with an understated wrap dress, so the high-heeled marvel can be the focal point of the outfit.

Or maybe I will wear the peep toe sandal with a sassy apron while I bake some goodies for Mr. Maven. Before I bake, I need to get the KitchenAid 5-Quart stand mixer in a soft Pink. Now, if I could get one in fuschia, that would be super great!

I have always wanted another Louis Vuitton. When I was younger, my grandmother gave me one of her older Vuittons and I was so pleased to have it. I wore it out, until a strap fell off! LOL!! I am in love with the Trouville bag. Hmm maybe I need 2.

I love Neiman Marcus!! My aunt M likes to call “Neiman Marcus Last Call Sale”, “The First to Last Call Sale” because she does not think the prices are discounted enough. That being said, I want a Neiman Marcus gift card. Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up Christmas morning and get a $1,000 NM gift card. Yes, adults can dream too!!

Since I enjoy reading, I want gift cards from Barnes and Noble and/or Borders. I love to collect home decor books and I also love a nice fiction read. I am backlogged…need to continue Zadie Smith’s On Beauty and Sophia Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic.

I wish you a safe and happy holidays. May all your dreams and wishes come true!!

Live Triumphantly,

Mix Maven

Happy Holidays Glossy Ones!

We certainly hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving.  My family spent the day with my husband’s family and we all had a blast eating my mother-in-law’s delicious food – turkey, pot roast, dressing, mac and cheese, green beans, potato salad, yams, rolls, sweet potato pie, lemon pound cake and carrot cake.  Whew!  We all played Scene It – The Television Version on DVD and it was so much fun.  I am still full!!!!

This week, the Ladies of Pumps and Gloss will be sharing their Christmas Wish Lists.  Let the fun begin!

Outside of peace, love and unlimited credit, I want the 8GB Apple iPod Nano in Red.  I love that half of the proceeds go to help women and children in Africa.  Go Red!

I have always wanted a Coach Picture Frame Keyfob.  Wouldn’t pics of my hubby and puppy be cute?

Gift cards in any amount from Starbucks (A great stocking stuffer or gift for a coffee drinking co-worker), Target (isn’t that little dog cute!) or iTunes (for my new iPod!) would be sweet.

Now that I am back to work – yes, yours truly is back in full effect in the busy field of HR - I need to step up my wardrobe game.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any pics of suits that I like.  Nuts!  Tahara is my all time fave, so suit and work looks will have to come in another post.  However, I do love these Coach Jilly Travel Ballet Flats.   Perfect for my commute to and from work.  Scuffing my pumps just won’t do.  I love all the colors, so any pair would be perfect.

I certainly cannot be seen walking into the building with a plastic bag containing my lunch and shoes.  So not fly.  I must get a fabulous tote bag, perferably one that will coordinate with my purse.  I love the size of this Coach Signature Studded Gallery Tote.  I would likely get the black on black one.

In order to keep in touch with Mix and Sen during the day, I have to upgrade my cell phone.  This Palm Centro from Sprint is just what I need – access to Messenger!

The Simpsons Movie comes out on DVD December 18th.   Mmmmmmmmmm……movie!

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=iXVrDOCgp2A]

I need some new music a.s.a.p.!  I would love Jill Scott’s new CD, “The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Volume 3” featuring “My Love” (above) and Kanye West’s “Graduation” featuring “Flashing Lights” with Dwele (below).  Get hip to Dwele yall – he is true neo soul at its best.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=JX9DROpgQ9Q]

You can never have too much Bath and Body Works.  This Luxury Bath gift basket is the perfect gift for the bath lover in your life.  Love it!

Next week, I will show you glossy ones what I plan on getting for my parents.  Mom is easy, but Dad is so difficult!  Ugh!

It is more blessed to give than to receive. ~ Acts 20:35

Have a great week!

~Joy

P.S.  I will also take anything from my luxury posting! LOL!

And I just adore this Mutts comic that ran in Sunday’s paper.

 It says, “If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice.”  Meister Eckhart

As you already know, Mix Maven and I share the same birthday in September.  To keep with the birthday season wishes…here are some of my picks:

Like Joyful Radiance, I also love Coach.  I saw some totes, wristlets and purses I would love to have.  Decisions, decisions, which one to get?

I love to read books,  so a gift card from Borders or Barnes and Noble works just as well.

I am feeling J.R. AKA Hot Stuff on joining the iPod revolution.  I am even feeling the iPhone. 

You undeniably need to have music with an iPod!

If I cannot get that, I will upgrade my XM plug and play.

I know it’s Friday, so I have to throw in a little sexiness.  I must have a sexy lingerie piece to wear to celebrate my big day!

Sensual Element

It is Birthday season here at Pumps and Gloss.  Sensual Element and Mix Maven share the same birthday in September and my birthday is next week.  Here are some of my gift picks:

I am a huge Coach fan and I saw these shoes in person recently.  Decisions, decisions, which color to get?

The “Issy” wedge is too darling!

This Lionkeyfob is too cute for us Leos…

We need one of a lioness though!

I love, love, love the Amazing Grace line from Philosophy.  The scent is clean and so feminine.

Doesn’t this Candy Paint Lip Gloss by Carol’s Daughter look delicious?

These lounge shorts from Old Navy are too cute.

I am starting to feel the desire to join the iPod revolution.  I would want the Red edition – stylish and helping those in Africa – it’s win/win.

The hedonist in me wants Gucci footwear to go with my purse!

I’m not too hard to please.

~ J.R.

Good day Pumps and Gloss readers:

My birthday is fast approaching. (I will be 24!!) (Did I just hear someone say “Again!”)

Well, I do not usually have a list …but this year is different.

First on my list is Mac OS X (Leopard).

I was miffed when I read that iPhone delayed Leopard’s entry into the market. I was very much looking forward to the application coming out in August, but the new release date is in late October. (well after my b-day, but I am always accepting gifts ) There will be many new cool features.. Can’t wait!!

In my recent order from Sephora.com, I received a sample of Narcisco Rodriguez’s For Her. This perfume has a woodsy talcum scent, which I, surprisingly, enjoy. (I love fruity scents like Tribu and Origins’ Frolic.)

The Kenneth Cole Reaction “My Boo” Flat is a great everyday shoe. I love the shiny and shimmery. This shoe would jazz up most casual outfits.

I also like Steve Madden’s Plus. This shoe was very comfortable on my feet. Also a great travel/grocery shopping shoe.

I have and will always be a fan of the swing coat. Michael Kors and Luii have offerings that are just delish. I love the classic print of houndstooth. You cannot go wrong with this gift (to me). While I am not a huge fan of red or matching, the Luii swing jacket would go great with my Richh (from Steve Madden) pump.

I have always appreciated the writings of Robin Williams. I have one of her books, The Non-Designer’s Design Book, which has been very beneficial. I have had the Design Workshop on my wish list.

Maybe this will be the year that I receive as a gift.

And you know a gift card does not hurt (MAC Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Bath and Body Works, for a store [online or brick and mortar] that sells Ben Nye, HomeGoods.)

I hope that everyone has a great week.

Live Triumphantly,

Mix Maven

P.S.

A very loud shout out to my daughter, Renita. Thanks for the wonderful gift (2 shiny black cards). You know mummy loves you.