Beauty of Autumn & Halloween

 

To me, there is something that feels renewing about the Fall. Maybe it is the crisp weather, fresh fashions, cozy evenings, or my birthday. This time of year is inspiring to me.

One of my favorite things to do in the Fall is to go leaf peeping. I like to hop in the car, grab a hot coffee and drive north. The scenery in New England during this time of year is unmatched. The vibrant colors and cool temperature make it an ideal time to capture moments in photography form.

It is only proper to finish October by watching "Hocus Pocus", eating plenty of goodies and dressing up to celebrate Halloween!

Here was my Halloween costume this year:

"I vant to suck yo blooood."

Cheer to Autumn!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Winter to Spring Beauty

Well, here we are again - Another change of season. This time, we are happily transitioning from winter to spring! Many people switch up their beauty routines during winter and summer, but forget about the "inbetweeners" spring and fall. Generally, I use more moisturizing products during the dry winter months and lighter ones during the humid summer. So what should you use during the spring?

Here is a list of a few of my favorite products:

• Gentle makeup remover like Olay makeup remover wipes, which can be found at any drugstore. I also like to use Vitamin E oil to easily take off makeup and nourish the eye area.

• Clarisonic and Cetaphil - These two go together like peanut butter and jelly. Just a small amount of the mild face wash, applied to the Clarisonic acts like a luxe exfoliator.

• Facial moisturizer with Sunscreen is essential year round. I've been using Cerave and love it. It is light and gets the job done.

• Rosebud Salve. I've been using this for years... It is always in my purse. Rosebud Salve is one of those multipurpose products that everyone should own. It can be used to soothe dry lips, skin, cuticles, and to fix flyaways. It has a soft scent and a little goes a long way. It is a secret beauty weapon... THE BEST.

 

 

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Best dressed at the 2014 Grammy Awards

Music's biggest stars took time away from the recording studio and music video sets to attend the 2014 Grammy Awards. The Grammy's tend to be an awards show where the stars take risks and have a lot of fun. I'm a big fan of music and of fashion, so I couldn't wait to see what designs would make their way to the red carpet.

I've narrowed down my top four favorite gowns from this year's Grammy Awards red carpet...

Number 4:

One is my favorite people to follow on Twitter, Chrissy Teigen, showed up wearing a gorgeous strapless, metallic Johanna Johnson gown with a center slit. It is safe to say that she can wear almost anything and look like a knockout, but this neckline and hemline highlight her hot body.

Number 3:

I particularly loved how beautifully the bronze shade of Ciara's long sleeved, Emilio Pucci gown accentuated her skin tone. Her surfer chic locks add to the bohemian feel of this dress.

Number 2:

 

This white Michael Costello gown was flawless on Beyonce's bootylicious curves. I LOVE the peekaboo of skin from underneath combined with the elegant sleeves and neckline... She left just enough to the imagination to be super sexy. The ONE thing that I would change would be her hair style. I don't think that it compliments the style of the dress.

Number 1 BEST DRESSED at the 2014 Grammy's...

Taylor Swift! I think that is is the PERFECT dress for a red carpet event. The stunning, chain link detail, the capped sleeves, the simple silhouette... Just perfection! She looks elegant, fashionable, and knocked it out of the park in this glittery Gucci Premire gown. Her simple hair style and jewelry selection highlight her gown choice.

Metallics and sheer looks were an obvious trend of the red carpet. Some of my Best Dressed honorable mentions include Kacey Musgrave's sheer, blush colored Armani Prive and Katy Perry's Valentino gown with music notes.

 

 

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It is okay to say "No" to Resolutions

Here we are nearing the end of January, the first month of 2014. I hope, that if you have set a resolution for the new year, that you are doing your best to stick to it. If you haven't stuck to it, or if you didn't even set one, that is okay too.

Many resolutions that people set are rigid and unrealistic. "Lose weight", "Save money", "Stop stressing" are a few popular goals that people have for the new year. I'm not saying that making these are wrong, but you could be setting yourself up for failure.

I STRONGLY believe in setting goals. In fact, I have notebooks filled with ideas, to-to lists, and ways to better myself. Rather than make an "all or nothing" New Years resolution, try to set flexible goals that will keep you motivated while working to achieve a lofty goal.

While you're thinking about what you'd like to achieve, I challenge you to reflect on the previous year.

I was thrilled to read JoeyCake's blog and find a list of questions that allowed me to look back on 2013 and look forward to 2014.

This is where I found inspiration for this post and to create my own New Year's questionnaire to help with introspection.

 

Thinking about the past year:

For what are you most grateful?

What was something challenging that you were able to overcome?

What new skills did you learn?

When were you most proud?

What was the best thing that you ate?

Who did you forgive?

What did you learn about yourself?

When did you feel the most strong?

 

Thinking about the new year:

How can you help others?

What new skill would you like to learn?

Where would you like to travel?

What relationships would you like to strengthen?

Hiw can you step outside if your comfort zone to grow?

How can you be kinder to yourself?

*** Feel free to print this list out and hang it on your wall, fill it out, share it with friends, or just read through it.

Wishing you a HAPPY, healthy, blessed 2014!

 

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Fashion at the 2014 Golden Globe Awards

Last Sunday evening, Hollywood's elite gathered for the kickoff of Awards season, the 2014 Golden Globes. The stars were primped and polished to perfection. Here is a list of my favorite looks from the red carpet.

Lupita Nyong'o in modern, caped, Ralph Lauren Collection

Kate Beckinsale in strapless, gunmetal Zuhair Murhad

Cate Blanchett in black lace, cap sleeve Armani Prive

Olivia Wilde in glittering, emerald Gucci Premire

Naomi Watts in shimmering, champagne Tom Ford halter

Sofia Vergara in elegant black, strapless, Zac Posen ball gown

 

Taylor Swift in a color blocked Carolina Herrera

What were your favorite looks from this year's Golden Globes? What are your favorite trends from the red carpet?

 

 

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Ninja Blender

Who doesn't love a good smoothie? I didn't see anything wrong with using my trusty ol' blender to make one, until I began hearing about the Ninja. For some time now I've heard people rave about the Ninja claiming that it effortlessly blends fruits and vegetables into velvety deliciousness. I was excited to try it after receiving it from my brother for Christmas!

I haven't done a lot of experimenting with it quite yet, but I can say that it makes a heck of a smoothie!

I've been searching Pinterest for Ninja related recipes... I am eager to try out new smoothie combinations, but also want to try making salsa, soups, icecream, etc. If you have a favorite smoothie recipe or another favorite recipe to use with the Ninja, feel free to comment below or tweet me @aliciazitka

Hi-ya to healthy living with the Ninja!

 

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It's the most wonderful time of the year!

The holidays have a funny way of sneaking up on you. After a lot of preparation including decorating, cooking, shopping, and visiting family, Christmas is over before you know it. On December 26th, we are all left exhausted but smiling, and already thinking about a day 364 days away.

 

This year my family celebrated with our usual traditions. On Christmas Eve, we went to my grandmother's house, just as we have for every Christmas Eve that I've experienced. We exchange gifts, eat, and sing Christmas carols. I have many beautiful memories of past Christmas Eves at my Mema and Papa's house. Each year, my brother would direct a performance that my cousins and I would perform. No matter how long the show, or how off key the singing, my family sat through our performances and at the end, clapped like it was Broadway caliber. Those memories are priceless!

On Christmas Day, I woke up early to find snow falling! It was going to be a white Christmas! As I sat in my living room, near our tree, surrounded by my cherished family, snow falling... I couldn't help but think "This is Christmas." I am blessed beyond measure and special moments like that remind me of the meaning of love and of the holidays.

Thank you to my cherished family for a wonderful holiday!After many laughs, desserts, and glasses of champagne, it was time to wrap Christmas up for another year. If you take a moment out of each day to reflect, you'll find that the spirit of Christmas is always around I'd you just believe.

Merry Christmas to all!

Love, Alicia

 

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