Joie De Vivre - Washington D.C. Edition

Random shoes in the street

Wasn't really sure what to think when I saw it. The randomness definitely put a smile on my face and I attributed the lonely shoes to the only explanation I could think of -- someone apparated (Potter nerds know what I'm talking about)

Cherry Blossoms

We were fortunate enough to be in D.C. the last weekend of the Cherry Blossom festival. I always knew that they were pretty but seeing sooo many out and about was just breath taking. I took 234523 million photos of them.

Odd Fountain Decor

Being a down right nerd and history lover, I have read and watched pieces on the supposed secrets clues all around D.C. - this definitely caught my eye but I doubt its anything important. Though, how random? Whose head was this fashioned after? lol

A memorable quote

Loved this quote so much. There were actually tons of great pieces of knowledge all around the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial.  I just love this one because its so true. We have to leave all of the ick behind in the past and move forward.

A beautiful day

I seriously enjoyed walking around D.C. with my family. It was gorgeous outside.  I felt a sense of pride in being a citizen of the U.S.A. There have been so many people that have sacrificed for this country and its our responsibility to keep the progress going.

Mother's Day Gifts $50 & Under

Mothers Day Gifts Under 50 by fleurluxe featuring a kates spade

1. Scent Crafters Custom Perfume. $39.99 - Your mom will be so pleased that she has her own special scent.  If you are too unsure of what you think she would like scent wise... its okay they have gift cards.
2. Tree of Life Initial Pendant- Etsy. $46.00 - I think this necklace is absolutely adorable yet fashionable. This is a unique take on all of those crazy initial mom necklaces you see everywhere.
3. Picnic Basket for Two $45.87 - If your Mommy loves lazy evening basking in the sun then this is a must have for her!
4. Tea Set $49.95 - This is for the mom that made sure that you ate healthy 24/7 and entertains her friends with tea and fresh treats.
5. Kate Spade Tablet Sleeve $50.00 - If she is in between work calls while cooking and has 5 million things to do every day... chances are she needs a fancy sleeve for her tablet.  

Long Lasting Red Lipstick

Me thinking about how to make red lips last

I looooove red lipstick! I try to wear it as often as possible.  Red lips aren't only a classic beauty look... they are a fashion statement. So for those reasons alone- I totally love it. However, the down side is that when you start eating or just go on about your day... your red lips start to disappear and you look like a complete wreck. I recently was at work and didn't bother to look in the mirror after lunch and noticed that all that was left of my red pout was an outer lining and it was NOT cute.

Tips to help keep your red lips lasting longer:

1. Exfoliate. If you have smooth lips there is less of a chance that your lips stick will act crazy.  I currently using Mary Kay's lip mask but I do adore Laura Gellar's Lip Strip.

2. Use a lip primer or concealer OR BOTH. This is the method that most make up artist use.  Prime your lips with your favorite product (check out: Too Faced Lip Insurance or Benefit Lip Plump) Once you are done applying your color of choice, rim the outside of your lips with concealer to prevent feathering.

3. Lip Liner is a must. I hate lip pencils and I'm not really sure why. They seriously help you keep your color on just apply to entire lip instead of outer edge.

Getting the Right Red

Everyone can wear red lipstick.  You just need to find what suits your skin tone better. If you have a cool skin tone then you will probably want to stick with the blue/fuchsia reds.  If you have a warm undertone then the orangy reds are the ones for you. I definitely recommend going to your favorite make up store and experimenting. Dragon by Chanel used to be one of my favorites until I discovered Russian Red from MAC. The picture to the left is a great depiction of orange vs blue red.

How to Apply:

1. Start with fresh exfoliated, smooth lips. Apply either concealer or primer to the entire lip. Let it set.

2. Next, apply lip liner to your entire lip. Be very careful. You do not want to make a mistake here.  In case you do make a bobo, simply wipe off with q-tip and restart your steps.

3. Apply your favorite lip stick. Some people prefer to use a lip brush for this but go with whatever makes you comfy.

4. Last, apply concealer to the outer edge of your lips. I recommend a concealer brush for this.  

5. Don't forget to pack your lip stick with you for quick application after eating or smooches!

Updates.

Hello Fleurettes,

I would like to thank each and every one of you who frequents my site for being extremely patient with me. I haven't posted in a few weeks and it has been with much regret.  In my time away I have been working 50+ hrs a week, tying up loose ends with our wedding, preparing/travelling to Virginia for my sister's wedding, the usually daily things, and squeezing in quality time with Shane.  Luckily, most of these tasks are done and I will once again be posting here on a weekly to biweekly basis.  When I reflect I know that this little blog with my faithful readers is one of the things that keeps me sane and it truly saddens me when I neglect such a wonderful things.

-Kimberly

How to: Yummy Thin Mint Milkshake

That's right... THIN MINT MILKSHAKE!  Now, some of you that know me personally know that milk and I are frenemies but I just couldn't resist.  I know I'm not the first person to come up with this but I just had a craving for chocolate and this is what happened.  Besides being delicious, this recipe is great for those of you who decided to buy up a whole bunch of cookies to send your little babies to camp this summer!  Did I mention how easy it was??

1) What you will need: 1.5 cups of milk, 7 scoops of chocolate ice cream, at least 9 thin mints and whipped cream. For more of a minty taste, use mint ice cream. 2) Put your milk, ice cream and cookies in the blender. I prefer to break up the cookies to speed up the process- blend for approximately 2 minutes. 3) Pour yourself a glass of yummy thick milk shake and add whipped cream and a whole cookie on top for style points! Enjoy.

Recipe yields 2 servings.

How to be a Positive Person

You aren't going to truly find your answer on the internet somewhere but I would like to share with you things that have helped me strive to have a positive outlook on life.  You have to first accept that LIFE IS NOT EASY.  Life was never meant to be easy.  If you feel like things need to go your way, things should automatically be easy, or that you simply shouldn't have to work hard for what you want then you are on the road to major setbacks.  You must truly know that everyday can and most likely will be a challenge and have to be ready to assess it with a sound mind.

Another thing that has helped me out is having a belief in something. I am not only speaking spiritually... I mean a belief that things will get better and that every situation has an ending.  If you don't believe there is an end to your misery or that you will never get out of a bad situation... most likely you won't.  

One thing people find the hardest to do is change.  If something isn't working in your life or you feel like someone brings a lot of negative energy- change it.  It is easier said than done but once again life isn't suppose to be a cake walk.  It's easier to stay positive when you know you are surrounding yourself with good things and know that there is always room for growth.

So here is to taking a step in a more positive direction.

Joie De Vivre

I haven't posted one of these in almost 3 weeks!  Bad Kim!  There have been plenty of things for me to be excited about within those days but here are some hilights.

Tiny Banana.

I'm not sure where my mother got her hands on such a itsy bitsy banana but I sure loved it. It actually tasted a little bitter but I just adored how petite it was.

Wedding Shoes.

I originally started off with a different pair that had a little more "bling" to it but decided that I needed something that was more fitting to me and that was a little more comfortable.  I can't believe that we are only 3 months away til the big day!

Classic Cheesecake.

One of my favorite places to go for a quick bite is Le Madeleine. I not only enjoy their food but their dessert is great!!  This cheesecake totally made my day.

Fun Moments in Baton Rouge.

Bowie is a very peculiar kitty. He seriously will let you do anything to him... no really. You want to dance, dress him up, play fetch, you name it- Bowie is down.  My dear friend Laura had him model this shirt that she gave to Luna and he looked marvelous in it. She then introduced me to Vine and we laughed & laughed.

Awesome Necklace.

I've actually have had this necklace for nearly two months now but, I lost it a week after I purchased it and now its back in my life.  Not only is this a lovely statement necklace... it was dirt cheap.  I got it for about $6 at Forever21. 

2013 Swim Suit Trends

My favorite time of the year is summer! I love the colors, the light fabrics and especially the lack of clothing required to leave my home. Hehehe. On a serious note, this year it seems as though swim suits are getting even sexier and a little hipsterish.

1. Cut outs. We have been seeing strategically placed cut outs all over the runways so it is no surprise that swimwear is getting the same treatment. I think this is a great way to show some skin with out showing all of your goods. 2. Suspenders. This is beyond adorable.  I think this would work great on wider builds because it will add length and make you appear smaller! 3. Scallops/Frills. This is an ultra femme look that gives you the sweet girl look.  I recommend frills on more petite figures because it will add some volume. 4. Plunging Necklines. This is for my super thin, less bustier babes who want to show some major skin.  This is a great step for those who want to avoid two pieces but don't wanna look too conservative. 5. High Waisted Bottoms. This is for all of you retro lovers out there!  This type of suit would look best with a big floppy hat and cat eye sunglasses. 6. Crochet.  It is so delicately bohemian and truly summer. This is one of my favorite trends at the moment and I think crochet is an amazing way to soak up the sun!

Source: Etsy.com via Pinterest

Another trend I forsee being huge this year, thanks to Rihanna, is the body chain. I feel like they give your bikini and extra something that screams sex appeal.  Of course, be weary of what kind of swim suit you pair it with. I definitely feel that if you are going to rock a body chain that you should pair it with a very simple swim suit silhouette and make sure that your chain is just an added feature and not a true focal point.