Old Gringo Cowgirl Boots - A Review!

I don't think we can be a beauty fan .... if we don't like to accessorize.  It seems to go with the territory!   Actually, I think it goes with simply being a woman!   No matter what our age!

Each one of us ... who loves beauty related items .... do so because we love to express ourselves in our own unique way!

For some of us that might be with fancy frills, make up, skin care and/or fun accessories!

And some of us might like a more gothic approach to the ways we let our personality shine through!  There really is no right or wrong way "to be" who you are made to be!

The important thing is allow your personality to shine through!  Shine girl shine!

For me, I am addicted to the Old Gringo cowgirl embroidery boots!  I think my love for cowboy boots started when I owned a horse when I was little.  I use to love to barrel race and go for long rides with my friend, Jax Leatherknife - a beautiful quarter horse.  There is something magical about being a cowboy or for us, a cowgirl.  Even if that means living in Northern California, suburbia now.

I have always loved country music and the fact that cowboy boots now have style, color and elegance - makes for such a better experience when wearing them!  They have truly owned the name "cowGIRL boots"!

Old Gringo boots truly allow for you to express your personality with both a bold and feminine flair.  It reminds me of my other wonderful addiction - Electra Bikes!  This is another company that truly knows how to bring to market products that allow people the opportunity of expression.  To allow their inside feelings, thoughts and personality to come through in a product!

Simply brilliant,  I might say!

Of all the boot companies out there - none of them has the style, the elegance and the feminine flair like Old Gringo!

I have tried many other brands on - and Old Gringo truly does run the most true to size!

I got my first pair of Old Gringo boots a few years ago and they now seem to be the main item that makes it to my holiday wish lists such as ... Mother's Day, my Birthday and Christmas.

Any other holiday's I can add to that list?   Hmmmm......

These boots are by far the most comfortable cowboy boots .... aka cowgirl boots I have ever worn.  The leather is soft and comfortable and no matter what pair you buy - they run true to size.

Unlike most other boots that need a break in period, these boots are comfy right out of the box!

The only problem I have had so far with any of the Old Gringo boots that I own ... are with the knee high "Myras".  I have the boot both in black and brown.  And that is only because I had brain surgery for Chiari Malformation ... and gained 30 lbs post op. ... while laying in bed for almost a year recovering!  My active life style became sedentary pretty quickly due to the pain of the surgery and some left over nerve damage.

So, my calves got a tad bit too big and I can't seem to zipper them up anymore.  So sad!  So, they sit in my closest - calling to me every day!  Especially now that the cooler weather has finally made it's way to Northern California!

Although the whispering of the Myra's provides me with a good incentive to lose weight - so I can get back into some of my favorite boots!

I currently have two boots that are on my wish list right now - the first one is called the Old Gringo "Letty" and the second pair is called the Old Gringo "Augusta"...both in pink, my favorite color!  B

Both of these are adorable boots and will make any pair of jeans "pop with style and femininity!

The Letty's in pink and chocolate are first on my list!  Santa, I am a size 9B in case you wanted to know!  Hint ... hint!

Old Gringo are truly THE BOOTS that brings home American style; with a HUGE feminine flair!

Partner these with any jeans, leggings or skirt and they will add the word ADORABLE to your outfit!

The only deal with Old Gringo is .... you have to save your money because these boots are not inexpensive. But remember, you are paying for top quality craftsmanship that will last your entire lifetime ... and so the boots are well worth their price!  Remember, boots that last a life time! 

And the great thing about Old Gringo?  The longer you wear the boots, the more broken in they get - and the more gorgeous they become!  What other pair of shoes or purse, or any other accessory can you say THAT about?

Old Gringo - I love you!  Keep hiring those amazing designers!  I simply LOVE every single pair of Old Gringo boots I have ever seen.

The only thing I have not gotten into yet, are the smaller ankle size boots.  Not sure why - but I still prefer the 13" or knee high boots!

Maybe ... just maybe ... because Old Gringo helps us women to express ourselves from the inside out - with our boots!  !

Old Gringo gets an A+.

Adorable; with a capital A.

If you are looking for a great retailer that sells Old Gringo boots ... is Rivertrail Mercantile - ask for Lauren or Clint!  They will do their best to track down whatever boot tickles your fancy!   

1-336-998-8800.

Here is a peek at the Letty in pink and brown chocolate:

And here is the precious Augusta L1287-4 ....  in pink - next on my list to purchase!

Hopefully by Mother's Day this year!  Oh happy me!

Review: IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Luxe Shadow Palette & Brush

New from IT Cosmetics, available at QVC!   I have been a fan of IT Cosmetics from the moment I was first introduced to the Bye Bye Pores Finishing Powder.   I had first heard about this finishing powder by Emily on Beauty Broadcast.  From the first moment I tried this powder, I was hooked.  I then ordered a set of the IT Cosmetic Brushes and fell in love with this company.  The Bye Bye Pores Powder is my go to powder for both setting my foundation as well as for finishing off my make up for that airbrushed finish!    

So, when I saw this palette on QVC, I perked up.  So many palette's out there are filled with so much shimmer, glitter or satin ... and for us older ladies, we do need a little more matte in our palette's.  

Many companies are finally getting the hint that it is not just the younger generation that LOVES make up - us older ladies love it too!  

There are some newer palette's that offer a great balance with the matte finishes - such as the Lorac Pro Palette and the new Smashbox Full Exposure Eye Shadow Palette!  I hope these companies keep coming out with a great assortment in their palettes! 

The funny thing - if you just read my previous blog on the Smashbox Full Exposure palette, you would of seen that I was just saying - I wanted a great matte palette with more of the pink and burgundy tones!  And sure enough - just after I said that .... my new IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette arrived!

On first sight, I fell in love with this palette.  Right away ... I swatched the colors and every single one of them are truly beautiful.  

I love how IT also created the pearl finish so you can change the finish on your eye shadows from matte to a pearly.  What a BRILLIANT idea!  Innovative and creative!  

The color payoff was good on each one of the colors.  Meaning, when I applied them - they seemed pigmented.  They also were buttery soft .... similar to the Burberry eye shadows.  They also blended very well.  The colors are very natural, although you can get a soft smokey eye with this palette.

I purchased this palette when it was apart of the special event pricing.  It was just a little over $35.00 which made this palette SO worth it!  The brush in this set alone could sell for that amount!

The only thing I was not thrilled about with this palette was it's staying power.  I wore these eye shadows for a few days - trying a few different looks.  Natural, smokey, etc...  In first applying it - I was so happy.  I really loved the buttery texture - they felt so luxurious and glam! 

I tried various primers to see if I could get the color to last longer.  I used my Too Faced Shadow Insurance, my Urban Decay Primer, my NYX primer ... and sad to say, after about 4-6 hours I could see the color on my eyes was fading.   My eye's just looked kind of blah.   

It seemed like I no longer had any eye shadow on by the end of the day. 

Would I still buy this palette again?  Yes, for $35.00 it is definitely worth adding to the collection.  It might be a bit more once the special event pricing is over (which I believe this pricing ends the end of November 2013). 

I am still going to try a bunch of different primers to see if there is something that helps keep the color going strong all day long.  I want to make this palette work for me because I truly do love the colors in this palette.  They are SO pretty!  

This part was very sad to me - because I truly wanted to love ALL aspects of this palette.   If you have some helpful tips on how to keep a shadow staying strong all day - please comment below!  Would love the help from fellow beauty lovers like me! 

I think if you only have a certain amount of money to spend and you want a great palette with the pinks and burgundy tones, you need something with some matte finishes ... and you want great color payoff and something that stays strong all day long - go for the Lorac Pro Palette - this runs just under $50.00 and it is one of the best palette's out there!  

Now, for the brush .... it is wonderful.  I have used MAC brushes, Sigma Beauty Brushes, Real Technique brushes an Coastal Scent Brushes.  The IT Cosmetic Brushes truly are up there in quality.  This one is no exception.  The brush is luxurious and it works great for applying shadow.  You can also turn the brush slightly sideways and it works wonderful as a crease brush.  The other end - is a great brush for liner or smudging ... or if you want to add the darker color to your outer V.  All in all - the brush ALONE could sell for the $35.00.

All in all - this is a GREAT palette.  Now, if I can just figure out a way to keep it staying strong on my lids .... Hmmmm ..... Help ladies?

Holiday 2013: Smashbox Full Exposure Eye Shadow Palette!

Are you a fan of the Urban Decay Naked and/or Naked 2 Eye Shadow Palettes?  Or is there someone on your Christmas shopping list that loves the Naked palettes?

If so, I might have the perfect 2013 Holiday palette for you or for them!

As a make up artist and beauty guru, I love trying new products!  Like, I literally love things all related to beauty!  I love seeing the creative side of women come alive as they play around with make up!  I love seeing the confidence that emerges when they embrace who they are as women!  Women who are loved and have a purpose to impact the lives of others! 

You, my beloved, are that woman!

As I was browsing through Sephora's web-site a few weeks ago ... I found this new palette set by Smashbox.  (Smashbox Full Exposure Eye Shadow Palette w/ Mascara). 

On first glance, I thought to myself ... I don't need another nude/neutral eye shadow palette.  But I was curious to see what all the reviews had to share.  It definitely got some great feedback by those who took the plunge to pick up this palette.

As I kept reading all the reviews, it seemed that there was really something extra special about this palette!  I wanted to know what it was! This curiosity made me click the add to my basket button!  And the 20% Sephora VIB discount also helped push me past any hesitation.  Plus, I new if it really didn't work - I could return it because Sephora is amazing with their return policy!  

The first thing I loved about this palette was the fact that this palette was and is ... highly usable!  Like the Lorac Pro palette, it contains some mattes and shimmers.  The top row is all shimmer and the bottom row is all matte.  It is one palette that truly meets the spectrum of our eye shadow needs.

The second thing I loved about this palette was the range of colors - from light to dark.  From nude/brown tones to gray tones. I loved the fact that it provided a great range of colors and finishes - that could really work the whole eye!

It provided colors for the inner corners, great matte colors for blending out the crease ... to some nice dark colors for the outer V.  

I would of been over the top happy .... if there was a sibling palette to this one with more pinks and plums; the beautiful berries for winter (similar to the Lorac Pro) but with it's own uniqueness of Smashbox.  

But, since I have the Lorac Pro palette and love it - I wasn't too disappointed! 

I think whoever the brilliant person was that put this palette together truly understands what is needed to make a complete palette!  

I give a BIG hats off to them for understanding the needs of the end users - both for individual beauty lovers as well as the professional make up artists.  Whoever you are - keep bringing products like this to market!  

The colors in this palette are beautiful.  Although they are colors typical to so many palettes out there - this one has that something extra special that looks wonderful on the eye.  

This palette will help you create a perfect day time look or you can use the darker colors to smoke out your eyes for a more sultry look! 

I can't tell you how many palette's I have bought - that have great colors, great pigment, blend well - but you literally can't use the one palette to do a complete eye.  

It is either missing that great brow highlighting color or it is missing that great matte color that is needed for blending out the crease area, or it is missing a great dark color.  I think the only thing that could of been added was a nice white color that would work with the range of all skin tones.  A nice white works great for the inner corners and as a brow bone/highlighting color.  Sometimes the creams, depending on skin tone, just do not provide the contrast needed.  

I have found this is the only color outside of this palette that I have had to reach for.  I always like to put just a little bit of white right under my brow bone to help lift and lighten my eyes.

The third thing that I loved about this palette was the fact that all the colors had great color payoff, they all blended well, and they all had staying power - off of these are typical of a Smashbox product!

This was truly a palette that I know I will be using as a part of my daily make up routine!   I also believe it is one of those palette's every beauty lover should have in their make up collection.  This one gets a huge thumbs up! 

AN ENCOURAGING WORD

• Believe in yourself.  Don't listen to those whispering lies that say your life has no value or no purpose.  
• You exist for a very special purpose and keep embarking on the journey to know what this is! 

FUN FACTS

• I live in Northern California and I love it.  Although today, I am missing snow, missing that magical feeling you get when you see your first snow fall of winter.  That feeling that makes you want to make hot cocoa, light a fire and snuggle up with a cozy blanket and read a book or watch a movie!  It is still 80 degrees and it is almost Thanksgiving! 

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!