Links We Love

Texas jewelry designer Maria Boquez’ blog
This ceramic vase DIY tutorial on Busy Mommy
This natural home spray DIY tutorial on Design Sponge
Taste of Home’s Sweet Potato & Caramelized Onion with Gorgonzola pasta recipe
This story about rock star painter Bret Slater in the newest D Magazine

Dallas Holiday Gift Guide: For the Always-Busy, On-the-Go Gal

photography courtesy of Yosi Samra

We all know those types. Likely, we are those types. I don’t know how I was living before I was given a pair of these Yosi Samara fold-up ballet flats by Merge boutique. Countless numbers of celebs sport these year round, but until you own a pair, you can’t know the true bliss they provide. Here’s the scenario: It’s 6 pm; you’re ready to leave work. You’ve been on your feet (in heels) all day. You’ve got one too many bags to carry to the car, and the idea of making it to happy hour and then hitting the grocery store makes your feet throb at the mere thought. Then you realize, you have tiny pair of flats stashed in one of your bags. The music swells! Your heart sings with joy! The evening is now yours again! (It happened to me this week.)

Plus, Yosi Samara makes an absurd number of style and color options (truly, something for everyone), and Merge carries an impressive collection of almost thirty. different. styles. From $60 to $90, you can peruse through prints or solid colors, patent or ostrich, holiday sparkles or everyday matte.

See more gift ideas.

Five Holiday Party Makeovers: Look 4

It’s Day 4 of our week of holiday makeovers.

This week, we’ve got five local makeup artists who are sharing their favorite festive makeup looks and the must-have tools. I’ve worked with or experienced first-hand the talent of each one of these beauty gurus, and I’m thrilled with each of the final selections.

Up next: an intense smoky eye with a matte nude lip, great for evening cocktail time. As Russ points out, “The main difference is this entire face is in matte colors instead of shiny or pearl. Great for young AND mature eyes.” (See all the looks here.)

photography courtesy of Russ Brouse

The Artist: Russ Brouse, freelance personal makeup artist
The Look: “Dark Holiday,” a sexy smoky eye and nude lip combo.

The Top Tools:
1. Kevin Aucoin Essential Eye Shadow Set, Palette #2
2. Yves Saint Laurent rouge Volupté Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick in #2
3. NARS blush in Zen