april instagram challenges ~ week 3

for week 3 of my instagram photo challenges, i confess, i got a bit behind. daily life can get busy, as you know, but thankfully, i did catch up, so here i am to share!

#photoadayapril called for pics of flower, something i don't like, hair {first pic at top}, orange, something i drew, bottle, the last thing i bought and vegetable...

for #aprilfashion i took pics of flats {shoes}, belt, plaid, large ring, bow, polka dots, lip balm/chapstick and diamond...

holy grail beauty, toe nails, morning skincare, inside beauty cabinet, shades of autumn, sparkle and bronzer for #30daysofbeautyapril rounded up a fabulous week of pics.

hope you've enjoyed this picture journey with me so far! i'll be posting week 4 in a few days. i'll also be sharing what i decide to do for the month of may since there are a few other photo challenges i'm considering. i don't want to do more than 3, so i'll let you know!

please follow me on twitter for all my daily happenings {and don't be afraid to say hi!} and visit my tumblr for fashion, lifestyle and beauty that inspires me.

enjoy your weekend! :)

pics taken by me :)

currently loving...

spring is in full swing...isn't it fabulous?

mornings are still cold, but the days are getting warmer, longer, and i'm so inspired by all of the new and gorgeous things in my life that are making the season so much more splendid...

fresh blooms!
i love fresh flowers, and seeing them everywhere always brings a smile to my face.

a new scent!

i've enjoyed wearing Shenandoah, by Terri Michelle fragrances, a lot lately. the clean-smelling scent has floral notes, but also musks, making it sophisticated but still light. i admit, i probably wouldn't have liked this a few years ago, but i now find this to be quite lovely. this gem is perfect for the spring season with its notes of bergamot, white lily, white musk, freesia, lotus, ylang ylang and sandalwood.

pastels!

coral and mint in particular are among the eye-pleasing, happy-inducing pastel shades every beauty girl should be adding to her daily life this season. both shades are uber flattering and can easily be incorporated through clothing, accessories and beauty products. i'm loving Sally Hansen nail polish in Mint Sorbet and Revlon's Coral Reef lipgloss.

new mascaras!

even if i'm not wearing shadow or liner, i wear mascara. three i can't get enough of all happen to be made by Maybelline ~ One by One {clump-free, fabulous volume}, Lots of Lashes {amazing, glossy length and volume with a fabulous brush to get at every lash} and Illegal Length Fiber Extensions {gorgeous, flake-free length}. trust me, dolls, you need these eye-opening gems in your beauty arsenal.


what are you currently loving??

Shenandoah fragrance sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me

april instagram challenges ~ week 2

hello, beauties! hope you enjoyed a splendid weekend. for me it marked the end of my kids' 2-week spring break. i enjoyed having them home, playing games, doing crafts {one of which was actually a homework assignment for my daughter's science class}, reading, watching movies and savoring the low key days. we relished the final days of being off, but they were excited for getting back to school today, to see their teachers, and of course to catch up with their friends. i don't blame them, i was the same when i was their age!

i also wrapped up week two of my photo challenges, and just like the first week, i enjoyed sharing my own take on the suggested images.

take a look...

#photoadayapril included a younger me, cold, where i ate breakfast {first image at top}, stairs, something i found, how i felt today and sunset...

cosmetic brand, perfume, clutch, gold jewelry, arm party, stripes and red lips made up the second week of #aprilfashion...

and #30daysofbeautyapril had me take pics of blush, day makeup look, carry in handbag, night skincare routine, eye makeup, night makeup products and inside my shower.

needless to say, i'm loving these photo challenges!  

be sure to follow me on twitter and tumblr for daily updates!

pics taken by me :)

april instagram photo challenges ~ week 1

creative pursuits are always very appealing to me, especially when they come in the form of taking pictures via my trusty, and always with me, iphone. the fabulous instagram app is not only a fun way to add a visual aspect to your social networking life, but has also launched many a photo-challenge with different themes to add creativity to real life...

i participated in a single challenge for february and march, and it was so fun for me. then i discovered a beauty and fashion themed challenge {woo-hoo!}, so i took those on this month as well.

some highlights from the first week...

the #photoadayapril challenge {created by fat mum slim} continues with random images like your reflection, someone who makes you happy, lunch and inside your wallet. pictured above, my interpretations of colour, mail, tiny, and shadow...

#aprilfashion {created by @vanity_fashion on instagram} week one included taking images of something pink, glitter/sparkle, shorts and accent nail {pictured}, along with flowers, high heels, pearls and spring dress...

and last, but not least, #30daysofbeautyapril was created by Miss Chew and is all about beauty. a few beauty blogger pals of mine are also participating! nails, hand cream, hairstyle and night makeup look were on the list. as you can see, lipstick, day makeup products, nail polish collection and {gasp!!} no makeup rounded out the week {clearly, i survived, lol!}...

stay tuned, next week i'll share highlights from week two. can't wait? i'd be honored if you'd follow me on twitter for the daily updates. i post the beauty and fashion challenges on my tumblr, too, so you can follow me there as well.

have a fabulous week!

pics taken by me :)

currently loving...

bonjour, beauties and happy tuesday! hope your week has been splendid so far...

to be quite honest, life has been taking me through some twists and turns over the last several months. just in the last few days i've been thrown for another loop. i know i could easily throw myself a blowout pity party, but instead am choosing to stay positive and allow each situation, complication and hurdle to teach me...

and i also have some fabulous things bringing a bit of bliss to my days!


this quote

early morning walks {and interval runs 2-3x a week} in the crisp, clear winter air
the stitcher app
Downton Abbey season 2 {are you watching?!}
daily yoga and meditation practice
fresh flowers...

participating in #febphotoaday. this sweet, daily photo-taking challenge was started last month, but i didn't discover it until it was almost over. i was tre excite to discover its creator, Fat Mum Slim, created one for this month and will continue each month this year! join in yourself and follow my pics on twitter and instagram, @thebeautygirl. :)



a fun, new book...

Kate Somerville Resurfacing Peel Pads are the most fabulous little facial treats. rich in alpha hydroxy acids, they leave skin looking and feeling smoother, brighter and have been a fabulous addition to my skincare routine {twice a week} for the last month. each box is enough to last 2 months. to gorgeous skin! :)


i'd love to know: what are you loving right now?

Kate Somerville product sent to me for review consideration

hello 2012...

we've made it through the first week of 2012, beauties! a fresh new year. the holiday season is behind us and it's the desire of many to start fresh, get organized, set new goals and dream big dreams. it's the time of year we dive in head first, with a "go get it" attitude.

as for me, i'm keeping my resolutions from 2011. in a nutshell, i'm living a healthy, balanced lifestyle, full of fabulous food {maintaining my 25lb+ weight loss from 2010}, recipes and daily workouts...

with regard to style, i'm still all about investing only in fabulous things to wear; things that i absolutely love and know will last. sure, some trend items will be purchased from time to time, but i'm focused on building a wardrobe so i never have to find myself standing in a full closet with nothing to wear...

...keeping my closet full of {but not overflowing with} clothing, accessories and shoes i love and want to wear is key...

...my personal style includes pieces that are elegant, casual and glam, of course. ;)

for me, beauty in 2012 will be all about...

...experimenting more with my hairstyles, hair accessories and wearing hats. effortless styles, like this fabulous ballerina-esque bun, remind me to wear my hair up more often {and i love this cute hair bow, too ~ so fun!}...

...and i can't leave out taking risks with my makeup! sure a fabulous smoky eye will always have my heart, but it won't hurt to rock a cat eye every now an then...


in the self-care department...

...getting more sleep will be a priority {i've been using a sleep mask to help make it more glamorous}...

...as is a recommitment to my morning pages practice; doing more yoga {can't wait to participate in yoga journal's 21-day challenge!}, handwriting more letters, sending more snail mail, and to challenge my 103-books-read-in-2011 record, i am aiming to read 115 books...

no matter what your personal goals or resolutions are for 2012, these tips will help you stay on track:

start small. be specific. ask for help. anticipate setbacks. have patience.

tell me: what are your goals/resolutions??

hope it's a happy, healthy, fabulous 2012 for you!!

source; sleep mask and notebook images taken by me :)

birthday wishes...

happy last day of the year, beauties! hope the year has treated you well.

i can honestly say 2011 has taught me a lot! i definitely have had many memorable things happen {some good, some not so good}. as the year comes to close, i'm taking the time to reflect on it and look forward with excitement at the thought of what 2012 will bring.

among other things, the reflecting includes two days that happened just this week: the blogiversary of bgm and my birthday. my little blog is 4 years old as of the 28th ~ i can't believe it! where did the time go? i can't thank you enough for all the positive feedback and just for reading this!

and speaking of time, i turned 32 yesterday...hello, what?!! i had a fabulous day, full of fun moments and a surprise.

some of the highlights...

after my early morning yoga practice, my daughter surprised me with a huge card that she took the time to make especially for the occasion {isn't she sweet? love it!}. when she asked me how i liked my other gift, i was a bit confused, until she pointed it out to me...


a Keurig! wow was i in shock! and no, i hadn't noticed it because i hadn't even been in the kitchen to see it at that point of the day {about 6:30 am}. it was on my counter, just as you see it in the pic, set up by my love the night before. i've wanted one for a long time now, but wasn't expecting to get one anytime soon. my guy is the best...


breakfast followed after a 30 minute walk/run/skip outing with the dog and kids {fun cardio!}; i washed my hair, dolled myself up, and the kids and i headed to the mall, of course. ;)

MAC was the first stop since i did have some items for Back to MAC, wanted to have my makeup done and play with the new goodies...

Fast Play, a pretty neutral pink/mauve/brown, was my lippie of choice...

a few store visits later {Sephora, Macy's, H&M, a watch store to have some links taken out of a new watch i received for christmas, Teavana}, we headed home and had a picnic in our backyard...


we watched Ratatouille {Remy is the only rat i love, LOL}, sipped coffee {me} and cocoa {the kids}, lounged around, caught up on some reading and had a quiet dinner.

we then headed to my mom's house. since my son gifted me with a huge box of chocolates for christmas, i thought in lieu of a cake, it would be the perfect day to open and share it. the kids, my mom, brother and cousin {who was in town visiting before heading off to the Army next month} were all quite happy with this...

my daughter snapped this pic of my ensemble...


in addition to an adorable pink raincoat {i forgot to take a pic, but i'll write a blog post if you want to see it. just let me know...}, my mom gave me a gift card to Macy's {yay!}. :)

sprinkled with many birthday wishes via facebook and twitter, the first day of my 32nd year was splendid. true, my love had to work all day, but i was blessed. and even more so when our kids replied with "fun!" and "really good!" to his question of how their day had been. :)

here's to many more fun and really good days in 2012...

all pics my own :)

currently loving...

how is your post-holiday week going? it's been pretty low-key here. my kids are out for winter break {for another 2 weeks!}, so lots of time is being spent reading, playing games, watching movies and just trying to take advantage of the time together and take most of the day at a slower pace.

along with these simple, everyday pleasures, i'm loving...


being able to wear sparkle for an reason, layering for the cool, brisk days, and creating cheerful ensembles by pairing bright, bold hues...


the newest addition to my accessory collection: this fab Michael Kors watch my husband gifted me for christmas...


finally got a french press ~ a new way to brew my coffee...


yes, i know, it's only three days post-christmas, but seeing the fun valentine's day dishes in Target made me smile...pretty sure it's all the pink...and those mugs are just too adorable... ;)


by the way, the top pic is of my precious pup, Piper, on her second christmas morning with us since we adopted her back in 2010...isn't she the cutest?!

source; source;