I Reminisce Over a Spell or Shall I Say Think Back....Miss Omni Media, Week of 8/21

I came across a shade that immediately made me feel like I was 19 years old and it's 1993. And then I thought, Oh Sh*t, that's TWENTY years ago!

To make me feel even older, I came across what's hot for Fall on one of the online shopping websites I subscribe to:

A lot of plaid to pay tribute to times of grunge-lore. I did wear a motorcycle jacket almost daily and I did covet a pair of ankle boots - not Dr. Martens but they were kickass Monkey boots that I loved dearly. I have been longing for a pair of Docs and since I'm an adult, a wife and a mother, I think I deserve them. I'd look even more kickass than usual.

For my current lipstick obsession and a walk down my memory lane, click here.

And for you Hip Hop Historians, my subject title is from the song, They Reminisce Over You by Pete Rock and CL Smooth.

Previously on Miss Omni Media...Week of August 14

NARS has really been blowing up with product launches every month this summer...it's reminding me of another beauty company. It begins with a M and ends with a C...give up? Well, I can't help you then if you're not paying attention! 

I will say I'm loving this new item:

Curious? Need to know more? Check out the full story. 

It makes me feel like this:

I said FEEL, not look! I'm not delusional.

Stepping it Up!

I've been one busy mama. I work a full eight hour day assisting three different departments and when I get home I assist one demanding diva, my five year old daughter and oh yeah, occasionally my husband. Okay, I keed - my daughter isn't demanding, well not all the time and I treasure the moments I get in the door, kick off my shoes and spend time with my family.

Also, I entered a new dimension...elementary school. My daughter started Kindergarten today - how did this all happen? I look at new moms with there adorable newborns and I think that was me yesterday, yeah yesterday like five years ago.

I'll be exploring this topic more coming soon - I just really wanted to explain my side of the story on why I've been M.I.A. in the blog world lately - as in this blog world. I've been posting regularly on another online magazine and when it comes time to pay attention to my site, I've been acting like one bad bitchy neglecting mother!

Good news: I actually have new product to share with you guys!

SHOES...Yes, you read that correctly. The one item I wanted to review that's near and dear to my heart next to eye shadows and lipsticks - shoes. A good reason why I can't report on shoes regularly - they are hella expensive or they can be, especially the ones I wish I can prance around in.

What I really craved in my wardrobe was a wedge pump that was fancy enough to hold it's own while paired with cropped trousers and pencil skirts while being able to hang out with my boyfriend, straight leg and skinny jeans.

I allowed myself to purchase just one item from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale

I went with these:

Coach Emma Pump.

Peep toe was not a pre-requisite, in fact I wanted a closed toe. But I am a sucker for details, especially bows. How could I resist this?

It stands at 3 1/4", it's patent leather upper/leather lining and rubber sole. It's a perfect height for work and basically getting around in. 

I did the unthinkable, I walked around in these from my car, to train station, to office. It's about a seven minute walk to my office from the train station. I survived. It wasn't like walking in a sherpa lined Ugg slipper but it didn't kill me either. In fact, I walked around in these and never had to change into flats. I took a break the next day by wearing flats and my feet were not hurting. I proceeded with the break in process again the day after. 

Yes, it did rub around my feet - they aren't the most narrow, dainty feet. If I could survive in these shoes so can you. Unless your feet are wider than mine. I didn't get any blisters but I also don't wear these on consecutive days just so my bunion doesn't yell at me. These are true to size (I got these in a 9 and I can sometimes wear a 8 1/2 depending on designer). Withing two weeks, they are broken in. The one annoying thing you have to factor - there's a bit of a squeaky noise when I walk due to the patent leather. I'll get over it but it'll probably drive my cubicle neighbors crazy. 

I bought these for $124.99/USD during the sale and they are now retailing at $188/USD

I didn't stop there, I bought another. Ugh, I know I am weak. But how cute are these kicks:

Adidas Dragon Sneaker for girls. 

My daughter has to look good for school, right? The problem was I showed these to her too soon. She begged us daily to wear these. When I purchased these for her, school was at least three weeks away. Her dad was good at saying no just to preserve the clean look of these shoes. White? What was I thinking? But I am also a girl that loves shoes how could I say no? 

I allowed her to wear them around at preschool and also around when we went out on the weekends. They did get a bit dirty but they are not as bad as me wearing white shoes. I would have spilled coffee within the first five minutes of wear time. 

It has a removable insole, textile and synthetic upper/textile lining/EVA sole.

I bought these on sale for $36.99 and it is now regularly priced at $53.95/USD. These run a bit big. My daughter is currently a size 12 and I got her a 12.5. She's got substantial space but I know that is fleeting since she shoots about a 1/4 of an inch each month. 

My daughter and I are very pleased with our shoes. Seriously though, she takes after me - no surprises here, well just in cost savings. 

These shoes were purchased by yours truly at Nordstrom. 

Last Week on MissOmniMedia...Imaginary Authors

Last week on MISS, I spotlight indie perfume line, Imaginary Authors that I discovered at Renegade Craft Fair, SF while supporting my husband's booth, 265 Design.

It's no surprise that I am a huge fan of lesser known, independent fragrances not found in Sephora, Ulta or other mainstream department stores. This collection features complex fragrance profiles and a very interesting concept.

For more info please read: Imaginary Authors

Kate Somerville and My Temperamental Moody Skin...

The following skin care products were sent to me for review by the lovely and generous folks at Kate Somerville.

Last month I tested out KS Goat Milk body lotion, (loved!) and now a month later I am back to report on two items I used religiously for a month.

I usually bail on a face product as soon as I get some type of undesirable reaction but I really wanted to stick it out with these two products, well if I got really bad acne then I would have stopped. I'm not a sadist for beauty. Even I have my limits when it comes to beauty products!

I am seriously in love with this serum:

Key ingredients include:
A blend of three advanced peptides diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles while marine algae and hyaluronic acid complex provide immediate and long-term moisturization and restores the skin's natural capacity to retain moisture.

Benefits:
Oil-free formula which is compatible with virtually all skin types
Aside from reducing fine lines, replenishing moisture in the skin, it also increases luminosity to the complexion.

Clinical results:
In just two weeks - 77% of women showed improved elasticity and firmness.
In just four weeks - 91% of women showed a significant increase in moisture, 77% of women said their skin's overall appearance was improved and healthier looking.

My thoughts:
At 38 years old, I don't have a whole lot of wrinkles to worry about. I worry about preventing any wrinkles that may occur in the near future. I was interested in the skin brightening properties. I have some discoloration from dryness causes by eczema. I will say that the discoloration is a bit lighter, although it's not completely gone but it is noticeably lighter. It's unscented and absorbs quickly. Also, it has helped my skin stay relatively smooth. It also works well underneath my CeraVe moisturizer. I also like the window on the side of this bottle so you can keep track of how much product you still have left. The recommended use is two pumps of serum but you can get by with just one pump or a pump and a half. I'm really trying to get by with just one pump to make this bottle last. Use morning and night.

The next moisturizer I tested:
Deep Tissue Repair Cream with Peptide K8

Key ingredients include:

Advanced Ceramide-infused Peptide is formulated to diminish the visible depth and density of wrinkles.

An Advanced Moisture Complex helps to prevent water loss and keeps skin more evenly balanced with humectants and conditioners.

Babassu and Hemp Seeds are intended to increase the appearance of firmness.

Olisopeptide is intended to increase the appearance of firmness.

Benefits:

Minimizes the appearances of fine lines and wrinkles.

Improves the look of skin's texture and tone creating supple, younger looking skin. 

Clinical Results (based on an independent clinical study):

Clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines  and wrinkles.

Clinically proven to have a visibly smoothing effect to the skin.

Significantly improves moisturization of the skin after 4 weeks.

Clinically shown to reduce skin redness

My results:

I had to initially get over the pineapple scent of this moisturizer because I'm use to unscented moisturizers - a warning to sensitive noses. But it does fade after awhile. Another thing I had to get use to was the (air-less pump) push down dispenser. I normally like a regular pump or scooping with clean fingers. When you push down a considerable amount of product comes out. Also there's no window on the side of this jar so you don't know when you are running out. I found out when I pushed down on the dispenser and nothing came out...I'd say a good 30 days later. This is a thicker cream and takes a bit longer to absorb. It did keep my skin moisturized nicely, so it did improve the moisture level of my usually dry skin. 

My only problem with this moisturizer is that there's no window on the side of this container so you can't keep track of how much product you have left. There's a lot of cream that comes out of the pump. The CytoCell Serum lasted longer than this moisturizer, as a matter of fact I still have some leftover. 

If I had to choose which product I would go back and purchase another bottle of it would definitely be the CytoCell P299. It went on so easily, it's unscented, it didn't clog my pores or disrupt my sensitive eczema prone skin and it even helped lighten discoloration caused by years of thickened skin because of my eczema. I did experience slight dryness and skin thickening on the side of my forehead because I stopped using my heavy steroid ointment for my skin situation. I wanted to see if this moisturizing combo could be so great that I would no longer need this ointment. I was doing well about two weeks into my new routine until I noticed my forehead was itchy and I felt the dry patches coming back. The great news, I had to apply this ointment the sides of my face - underneath my outer cheekbones, my chin, my nose and my forehead. And now I only apply to part of my forehead that's dry.

I began to fear the end of my bottle that I was going to plan my next trip to Neiman Marcus to put a bottle on my account. Luckily I found this on ebay for a very, VERY good price.

Phew...excuse me as I wipe the sweat off of my smooth forehead!

CytoCell CytoCell P299 Oil Free Anti-Wrinkle Serum
1 fl oz $95/USD

Deep Tissue Repair Cream with Peptide K8
1 fl oz $150/USD

Available at www.katesomerville.com

And all fine stores that feature the Kate Somerville collection.