Wall Letters For My Son's Nursery

Not at all beauty related, but...

A few weeks ago, I ordered custom hanging wall letters for my son's nursery. They just came in the mail, and I can't get over how amazing they turned out! I bought them from Jarrett Creations on Etsy and they personalized them based on my color preferences, animal preferences (West's room is jungle/safari themed) and the design of my crib bedding set (I sent them a link to a picture).

If you have a little one (or one on the way) and you're in the market for wall letters, I highly recommend Jarrett Creations. Even personalized, each letter only cost $7. Great product, wonderful customer service and excellent price!

Okay, back to your regularly-scheduled beauty programming...

Mummy Manicure?

When I first saw this photo, I thought to myself, "Surely this is proof that the ancient Egyptians rocked nail art." But this is no mummy manicure. Sadly, these hands belong to a real live human being - with tacky taste, access to a digital camera and, apparently, no hand cream.

So my question to you is this: if your fingers were this wrinkled, would you draw attention to them with gaudy nail art?

A Little Off The Top...And Bottom

A few weeks ago, Mr. Spoiled Pretty shared a particularly hilarious anecdote from his childhood growing up in Cheney, Washington.

Between the ages of 10 and 12, Graham would travel to downtown Cheney to get his hair cut by a man known as 'Shorty.' Shorty charged $3.50 (not $3 or $4) for his signature cut - the flat top. By signature, I mean that the flat top is the only style he knew how to perform. Thanks to his bargain basement prices, Shorty earned a steady clientele of local farmers and young boys.

One detail of Graham's story that intrigued me (besides the crazy $3.50 flat top price tag) was the fact that Shorty's barber shop stocked an extensive selection of Playboy magazines. Which got me thinking...

If I were a guy waiting to get my hair cut, wouldn't I feel weird flipping through a Playboy in public? The answer is a resounding "yes." But, apparently, Playboy magazines in men's barber shops are fairly common.

Despite Mr. Spoiled Pretty's insistence that there are articles in Playboy that men actually read, the phenomenon of men casually perusing Playboy in broad daylight - in a place of business - still strikes me as pervy.

Thoughts?

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Janey Needs Her Own Blog, Erika

One of my BFF's (best blogging friends) is the lovely Erika, from Makeup Bag. She has three daughters who are product-obsessed, just like their mama. But her youngest, Janey, takes beauty to a whole nuther level. She might just be the most entertaining 7 year old ever.

This video is absolutely hysterical, so I had to share. Erika, I think it's time Janey got her own blog.

Heelarious: Her First High Heels

Okay...so I think we all agree that Baby Bangs is a terrible idea. I'm very relieved to know that I'm not alone in my sanity, though there's gotta be some looney toons out there keeping this company afloat.

I just can't wrap my mind around a parent who would slap a toupee on a baby's head and think she looks cute. The only conceivable use for Baby Bangs would be a day care production of Julius Caesar.

Anyway, I've found a much better way to spoil your little one pretty. Heelarious has these absolutely adorable high heel slippers for babies. So cute - in fact - that after perusing their inventory, I immediately started popping folic acid supplements. How precious would Baby Spoiled Pretty look with her lil tootsies in this pair of Brooke heels? Hell, I want an adult-sized pair...just to kick it around the house.

Hello...luvah!

Baby Bangs: For The Girl Who Has Everything...Except Hair

Baby Bangs is a real product. Can you even?

Our patent pending HAIR+band accessory combination allows baby girl's (with little or no hair at all) the opportunity to have a beautifully realistic HAIR style in a SNAP!! It's quick, easy and baby barely knows it's there. Each Baby Bangs! HAIR+band has been made using only the finest ribbons and fabrics, PLUS our Baby Bangs! come to you pre-customized & size appropriate, cut, styled and ready for immediate wear. The wispy hair strands have been arranged in the cutest most adorable elfish coiffure!

Gifted Hands

Anyone happen to catch Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story on TNT? If you didn't, you really missed out. And if you watched it, I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that it was one of the most uplifting and inspiring films I've ever seen. Seriously, just watching it made me want to work harder and be a better person.

I don't typically watch made-for-tv movies. But when I heard that Ben Carson's autobiography, Gifted Hands, was being adapted for television, I got very excited. You see, Dr. Carson was the keynote speaker at my college graduation and he has one of the most amazing life stories...

Benjamin S. Carson Sr., M.D., had a childhood dream of becoming a physician. But he grew up in a single-parent home, with dire poverty, poor grades, a horrible temper and low self-esteem. While that appeared to preclude the realization of his dream, his mother, with only a third-grade education, challenged both of her sons to strive for excellence. Carson persevered and today is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for nearly a quarter of a century.

Carson’s career highlights include the first separation of craniopagus conjoined twins joined at the back of the head in 1987, the first completely successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997 in South Africa and the first successful placement of an intrauterine shunt for a hydrocephalic twin.

Carson holds more than 50 honorary doctorate degrees. In 2001, Carson was named by CNN and Time as one of the nation’s 20 foremost physicians and scientists. That same year, he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 Living Legends on the occasion of its 200th anniversary. He is also the recipient of the 2006 Spingarn Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the NAACP. In February 2008, Carson was presented with the Ford’s Theatre Lincoln Medal by President Bush at the White House. And in June 2008, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the land. He has literally received hundreds of other awards during his distinguished career.

Gifted Hands was so good that I watched it twice - back to back. If you missed it or are just hearing about it, check the TNT schedule to see when you can catch a re-run. I highly recommend it...if Gifted Hands was a beauty product, it would be a 'holy grail.'

Back From My Trip To Macy's - Allow Me To Vent

So I'm at Macy's, trying to get some separates for work and for Fashion Week, which is creeping up on my at an alarming speed. Anyway, I've got an armful of stylish possibilities and I'm in a good mood because there's an awesome sale going down - and just as I walk into the fitting room, I hear a shriek behind me. "Ma'am...ma'am. Excuse me, ma'am...wait! How many items do you have there?!?!?"

I turn around to face the bane of my existence - the fitting room police. I told her I had seven pieces. Then she told me that Macy's only allows six garments in the room, at a time. She further explained that I had to leave one garment on the rack outside of the changing rooms and that I must hang up everything after I was finished and place them on the aforementioned rack before exiting the fitting room.

Now, I realize that this is store protocol - but way to put me through the ringer, lady, when I only had one extra garment. And while I'm on the topic, I'm gonna tell you how I really feel...

I HATE THE FITTING ROOMS AT MACYS!!!

I'm sure that there are some very nice people who monitor the dressing rooms at Macy's - but, unfortunately for me, the dressing room patrol at my local Macy's stores are the evilest people ever. Everytime I've got an armful of clothes, they're hawk-eyeing me...just waiting for me to make a break for the fitting room, so that they can unload their attitude on me.

And even when I only have a few pieces in my hands, once I get near the dressing room, I'm stopped and given a hard time. It's gotten so bad and I've become so annoyed that I usually wait until the coast is clear and all salespeople are out of sight before making a beeline for the fitting room (while the Mission Impossible song runs through my head). But 75% of the time, I'm apprehended...and harrassed about hanging up my clothes when I'm done.

Instead of biting my tongue and smiling/nodding in agreement, one of these days I'm going to respond with something like this: "Mama Spoiled Pretty raised me right. I hang up my clothes and place them on the rack, without being asked. Not because you're pestering me about it, but because I have manners. So remember my face and stop going all bridge troll on me everytime I'm in here. Thank you."

I mean, dang. I only shop at two Macy's. And the petites department is the size of a shoe box. You'd think they'd know me by now.

Is it so wrong to want to be left alone? I've got money to spend in your store and all I'm asking is to be allowed to enjoy the shopping experience without having some saleslady go all apesh*t on me.

So for all of you heffas who are trashing the fitting rooms like you're some sorta rock star - and ruining the fun for the rest of us...well, quit it. Learn some manners, or I'm going to send Mama Spoiled Pretty after you.

The only thing I don't hate about the Macy's dressing room is the price checker thingy by the fitting room door. I actually love that. I love learning how much money I'm gonna save, without having to do math. Yay, price checker things!

My Obamicon

How cool is this? Click here to upload a photo and create your own Obamicon.

Happy MLK Day!

It's a beautiful day, my pretties. It's the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. So I wish each and every one of you a happy MLK Day!

And it's about to get even prettier tomorrow, as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.

I am so proud to be an American.

Listen Up, My Little Chocoholics...

Listen up, my little chocoholics...

New to Starbucks' beverage lineup: the Espresso Truffle Latte. They've combined Starbucks espresso with the premium European-style cocoa blend used in their Signature Hot Chocolate and steamed milk, and topped it with whipped cream and a touch of chocolate powder.

It's like your taste buds died and went to cocoa-covered heaven!

And if you're one of those folks who lives at Starbucks (are you made of money?), here's a tasty tidbit for ya…get the new Starbucks Gold Card – and for an annual membership fee of $25, you'll enjoy the following perks:

* 10% off most purchases in participating U.S. Starbucks stores
* A free drink when you purchase your membership in-store
* A free beverage on your birthday
* Exclusive offers and discounts throughout the year
* Free Wi-Fi access (for up to 2 hours) each day in participatingStarbucks stores

I'm Baaaaaaack

Hi, everyone. Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've been in the hospital, without access to a computer. It's been killing me to be out of touch.

Anyway, thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, I'm doing better and back at home resting.

So let's get this show on the road, shall we?

Apparently, Spoiled Pretty is a Snoozefest

Here's a comment that I recently received:

Lately it seems as if you're not as versatile as you used to be. All I see on your blog nowadays is news about Kim Kardashian and what she's wearing etc. I could easily just visit her blog if I wanted to know every update of her beauty life. It's getting boring.

Here's my response:

Sorry if you feel that this site is 'getting boring.' Many of Spoiled Pretty's readers are interested in what Kim is wearing, what she's doing, and what makeup she's currently using. Obviously, this site can't be all things to all people...but many visitors enjoy my Kim K posts because it's an extra step to visit her blog and weed through all of her posts to get the beauty/style news they want. Also, you might notice that (unlike Kim's actual blog), Spoiled Pretty provides links to her favorite products...which eliminates the need to perform Google searches and Internet sleuthing. Many readers appreciate that they can just click a link and be transported to the retailer's website.

Here at Spoiled Pretty, it's just me. I don't have a staff and I don't have an intern. I have a full time job (40+ hours per week), a family and a life. And still I find time to post every day - and often, several times a day. I report beauty news like it’s my J-O-B, even though it’s just my H-O-B-B-Y. So I apologize if it appears that I’m slacking off and not bringing my A-game 24/7. But, to be honest - if this site is getting to be a snoozefest, then there are plenty of other beauty blogs on the Interweb you can hit up instead. I encourage you to go out there and find one that will keep you sufficiently entertained. And while I normally do appreciate feedback, I think you will agree that your comment borders on spiteful criticism.

The Rachel Zoe Project: Shut it Down, Tay

In tonight's eppy of The Rachel Zoe Project, It's Oscar time...and Rachel's right hand, Taylor, gives Rach an ultimatum. She wants her boss to choose between her and Rachel's other assistant. "It's Brad or I. Brad or I," she says.

Tay, darling...I hate to channel my inner 6th grade English teacher. But it's 'Brad or me. Brad or me.'

Your grammar is bananas, Tay. I die.

Anyone else watch the show?

What A Doll!

Artist Noel Cruz took an ordinary doll, removed the factory paint and repainted the figurine using acrylics after he was inspired by the 'enigmatic beauty' of Angelina Jolie. What resulted is, perhaps, one of the most lifelike and creepy dolls I've ever seen.





The doll is missing Angie's signature tattoos. But Cruz, who specializes in painting dolls to resemble celebrities, says that they can be added for an extra cost of between £10 and £20, depending on the complexity of the design. And the doll can don different wigs for a variety of looks.

So how much will one of these doppelganger dolls run you? A private bidder recently paid £2,000 for his/her own mini Angelina.

I'd bet cash money that the anonymous buyer is none other Jennifer Aniston, and that she's sticking pins in that thing like it's her J-O-B.

Source

Pony Up For Charity

For 25 years, Hasbro’s My Little Pony has brought fun, friendship, and joy of play to millions of little girls around the world. To celebrate a quarter century, Hasbro created a special program, "The My Little Pony Project: 25 Ponies for 25 Years" - to benefit Give Kids the World Village, a resort in Orlando that hosts children with life-threatening illnesses and their families for a cost-free stay and visit to the Central Florida theme parks and attractions.

"The My Little Pony Project: 25 Ponies for 25 Years" is an international collection of one-of-a-kind 18-inch figures designed by popular culture influentials, including celebrities, fashion designers, artists and My Little Pony fans, like Kimora Lee Simmons and John Stamos (who would've thunk it?).

The complete collection can be seen here and 100% of the sale of each figure will benefit Give Kids the World.

Why Does It Look Like Tom's Been Shopping In Katie's Closet?

Am I right, or am I right?

Source: People.com

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

I'm a beauty addict with a nasty little habit. I don't like to play by the rules.

If a face mask says to leave it on for a half hour, I'm watching an entire episode of Project Runway before I take it off. When a product recommends using a dime-sized amount, I squeeze out a silver dollar. And if a conditioner says to rinse after 3-5 minutes, you best believe I'm letting it marinate like a mutha.

Why am I compelled to rebel? Perhaps it's because I think that by using more product or leaving it on longer, I'll be more happy with the results. Silly, I realize...but I've been behaving this way for so long, I can't help myself.

Does anyone else do this? I can't be the only rule breaker.

Tiddy Bear

You know this was some guy's idea. The name, anyway...

The Bodega Lady Outed Me

So yesterday, I met up with Amber, who was in town visiting the parental units. Before heading to St. Stephen’s Green - a little brasserie around the corner from my apartment (they have the yummiest hummus) – we stopped at my neighborhood bodega so that I could hit up the ATM (or MAC machine, as we say in these parts). As we’re walking out of the store, the owner looks at me strangely before saying, “Something’s different about you. Oh, I know…you’re wearing makeup.” OMG! I’d been outed by the bodega lady…and in front of a fellow beauty blogger, to boot. Amber thought it was HILAR.

You see – like many beauty editors, I’m too busy (lazy) to wear a full face of makeup on the regular. So 9 times out of 10, I’m walking around with a nekkid face, save for mascara and lipgloss. But when I do wear makeup, I get the most wide-eyed stares and confusion ensues…like it’s the big reveal at the end of an eppy of Extreme Makeover.

Makes me wonder just how busted I must look 90 percent of the time. Ugh…I shudder to think.

Any other lazy makeup lovers out there?