It's (black) Fridaaaay!

Happy {Black} Friday Everyone! I trust that you all made it through your Thanksgiving holiday in one piece…. Now today, as is tradition, we are all filling our bellies with turkey leftovers, preparing to empty our wallets on sales, and {for some of us…} nursing wicked hangovers. #familytime

I've never been one for braving the masses on Black Friday; no sale is worth sleeping outdoors or getting trampled by strangers. But I AM all about those Black Friday savings! And thankfully each year, more and more retailers are getting with the program and extending those same killer savings to online…..where us "normal" people shop. ;) 

Maybe you've missed some of the deals and steals going on today though since everyone and their mother are sending out email promos……I, for one, have dreaded opening my email for weeks….if that's the case, not to worry; I've compiled a list of shops that are offering online discounts today that I think are worth checking out…{some of them all weekend} So now, all you have to do is log on, sit back….and shop! 

Forever 21 is offering up to 70% off clothing & accessories— as well as free shipping anywhere in the U.S.! Of course you can find every trendy thing your heart desires at Forever; there's no need to cover the obvious…..but I will make special mention to check out their line of workout apparel! Since a lot of us are going to be sticking to those hot-body-resolutions-2017 here shortly— we might as well look good doing it. They have a surprisingly cute collection of compression leggings and sports bras to choose from….and they don't look like something you'd normally get from Forever 21. 

My picks: men's beanies {'for the best "slouch"}, overnight bags and wallets, and flannels….there are waaaaay too many to list specifically. But you can definitely find a grip of cute styles to choose from on them all! 

Image: Forever21

Nasty Gal is offering 30% off all marked down items today as well as 30% off select "Black Styles". I'm not sure what their algorithm is for declaring something "black style" — at first my emo side got all excited and thought that it applied to that specific COLOR — but it doesn't. So i'm compartmentalizing my confusion and just throwing sh*t into my shopping cart….who cares? 

My picks: I can't resist their selection of jumpers, off-the-shoulder tops, and velvet chokers {which will make great stocking stuffers this Christmas} 

Image: Nasty Gal 

Soko Glam is currently my biggest weakness in life and with 30% off site wide, it's about to be your's too. If you haven't explored the amazingness that is K-Beauty yet then you can literally stop reading this and just do yourself a favor, and head on over to SoKo for a little Skincare 101. There are so many high-quality skin care products and cosmetics— almost all of them already at a great price point— with an additional 30% off {and free shipping} it's likely you'll need to remodel your bathroom just to fit your new goodies. And just look at any Korean woman's poreless, glowing face and try and tell me that you're not wanting to be about that….

My picks: Tony Moly Lip Stain, Son + Park Beauty Water, and MISSHA Cell Renew Snail Cream. {i won't overload you on products just yet— trust me, i'm doing a post alllllll about my faves very soon}

Image:SoKo Glam

ASOS is saving you 30% off everything all weekend long by using promo code: THANKFUL30 at checkout. From designer labels to basics from the brands own collection, you're sure to find a ton of things worth picking up. I happen to really like the ASOS brand pieces. Particularly their dresses and rompers. 

My picks: EVERYTHING!….but if you insist i be more specific, bodysuits! ('Cuz when in doubt, wear a one-piece…that's the motto i live by ;) They have some with really sexy plunging necklines for all of you fellow small-chested ladies. And they're comparable to any of the styles you'd find at American Apparel, just a lot less expensive. 

Image: ASOS

SHOPBOP is giving you up to 25% off with the promo code: GOBIG16 . They have a great selection of jeans and an even better selection of designer shoes! 

My picks: Current/Elliott "Stiletto" Ankle Skinnies and {finally!} my coveted Jeffrey Campbell "Rodillo" Wedge Sandals {in nude}….they've been sold out of the size and/or color i've wanted for like, a thousand years.

Image: Pinterest

Steve Madden is giving {you guessed it…} 30% off all shoes today. Although keep checking back through this weekend for additional surprise deals—he's doing an "8 days of Christmas" thing— so….there's that. 

My picks: the WILA bootie in the color grey…..i love the cutout design and heel. Plus it's a fresh take on neutral. I have a lot of black and tan booties and i'm bored. 

Image: Steve Madden

Victoria's Secret is offering a few different perks for shopping online today; you can get 20% off select items, free shipping with any order over $40, and 50% off bras! I don't think i need to explain what you can buy there…..haha….and you don't need to know what i'm buying. #cleanminds

This Is Ground is a great place to look for gifts for men and any techie enthusiast. Today only, they're offering 10% off $250 or under and 20% off of orders higher than that. If you haven't heard of them I encourage you to check them out— they have some very chic, high-quality travel accessories for just about anything with a fruit shaped logo on it. 

My pick: The Mod Laptop 3 in Cognac. It'll set you back a pretty penny, even with the discount…but damn it looks good. And it even has a cross body strap for easy travel— which will be totally handy when you can't afford rent next month  

Image: This Is Ground

Wow….this list was longer than anticipated….I need a drink and more turkey! Happy Saving!! XO

SEXY SCENTS | FALL TO WINTER 2016

I love the transition from summer to autumn. I literally start counting down the days from January 1st, onward! And I tend to embrace the change fully-- everything from wardrobe to hair to makeup--I change it all.

 Fragrances in my book are no different. During the warm spring and summer months I lean toward lighter, tropical smells. Whilst in the cooler, darker months I reach for scents that are a bit muskier and sultry. But I like to make the transition....well, transitional....so I've picked up a few new scents to easily transport me (smell-wise at least) from an island vibe to a cozier one. These are what I'm currently loving: 

MY SUMMER BEAUTY EMERGENCY KIT

Hello ladies! I'm sorry that it's been a minute {again} since I got around to blogging {even though I promised that I wouldn't let weeks go by anymore…oops} but there's been lots of awesome changes going on since the start of '16…

Among them: the new and improved Omi b. design!! {which I am super excited about since I did quite a bit of it myself !!} Speaking of 2016— can you believe that it's almost summer?!

Even though we've been getting our classic "June Gloom" these past couple of weeks it's going to start burning off {and heating up} before much longer. 

The babes will be out of school and finally— beach days and pool time will commence! It'll be a welcomed treat! {since I've felt like such a shut-in lately.} But, as excited as I am for the heat, I also know that I have to be prepared for the beauty faux pas that will result from me getting too much sun! That's why I've compiled a list of absolute essentials to share with you all. 

‣‣ Festival-Ready Skin ‣‣

It's finally time to gather all of those final touches for this weekend! We've covered outfits, makeup, and jewelry so far— as far as hair it's every man for himself out in the desert as far as I'm concerned, LOL— and tonight I'm gonna cover just a few of my favorite essentials that get me (and hopefully, now, you too) through the 3-day festival looking as fresh as a daisy (despite the fact that in reality, i'm melting.)

While you're out there there are 3 main things that you want to do for your skin to keep it in prime shape, those are: EXFOLIATE, HYDRATE, AND PROTECT!!

WEEKLY WTF: CLEANSING OILS

WEEKLY WTF: CLEANSING OILS by omi-b 

I get asked a LOT about cleansing oils…. how to use them, why you need one, are they only suitable for one skin type?… and the truth is, there really isn't a lot of information out there about such a lovely product! I'm not sure if companies just kind of expected that people would get the hang of them or that they'd be self-explanatory, but no joke, if I wasn't trained in this stuff, I hands down wouldn't know how to use the sh*t either! 

The biggest concern people want to know straight away is whether or not using an oil will cause more oil production (or acne…) and the answer is NO! The correct kinds of oils (aka: the ones used in skincare lines) are designed to do just the opposite, in fact! 

Fighting oil with oil sounds bananas but the truth is that "like attracts like". A cleansing oil can actually help to draw out excess oils from the pores; bringing them to the surface where they can be rinsed away. Unlike oil and water (which we all use to cleanse our skin, correct?) which repel one another. 

There are also benefits of oils like conditioning the skin while cleansing, preventing stripping in the skin, and working as a badass makeup remover! (which happens to be singularly the REASON I started using one religiously to begin with)…but this brings us back to an important topic when it comes to cleansing the skin: you want to make sure you're always doing 2 cleanses. 

So….think of your oil as your "pre-cleanse". You'd use it before using your regular cleanser to take off makeup or even just sweat and oil if you're not a makeup-wearer. So if you're in the market for a cleansing oil or you're interest is piqued after reading this, here's what your routine is going to look like: 

STEP 1: apply cleansing oil to DRY hands and rub onto a DRY face. (that includes over makeup….you're just gonna slather it all over, concentrating gently over lashes to remove mascara and liner) Do this just until you can see that your makeup is liquified and broken up. Next you're going to wet your hands in the sink and apply a bit of water onto your face. This is going to make the oil emulsify. (aka: turn into a liquid state) You'll see the oil thin until it's a white semi-sudsy substance. At this point you can rinse your face. 

STEP 2: while your face is still wet, apply a dime sized amount of your fave cleanser to your hands, lather…..you know the drill with face-washing. Spend about 20-30 seconds gently lathering your face during your 2nd cleanse. The purpose of the pre-cleanse is to remove yucky things on your skin from the day, but the SECOND cleanse, that's what's actually cleaning the SKIN

STEP 3: (after rinsing step 2 obviously) is your normal routine. Whether you keep it simple or have 891,000 serums + a moisturizer…. 

You can use an oil morning and evening. During these dry winter months I actually prefer using them cuz they're not making my skin feel tight. But if you're low on funds you can save your oil cleanse for just the P.M. if you'd like….that's when it's needed the most. 

For a few of my tried and loved picks you can check out this, this, or this. 

And if you try any brands I haven't listed and you love them, please share!!! I'm the junkiest of skin care junkies so I'm always looking to try new products! 

❤︎, b.

Holiday Party Style : Kendall+Kylie

Holiday Party Style : Kendall+Kylie by omi-b on polyvore.com

Hello loves! I hope that you all had a phenomenal weekend! Today I wanted to share some great holiday party finds, compliments of the new Kendall + Kylie line at Pacsun. While I am not the biggest fan of all of the pieces that are featured in this line, there were some really chic-looking, affordable options for all of your upcoming Christmas/NYE parties. I must admit that their price point is unbeatable for some of the designs. And there are definitely a few that I can't wait to get my hands on. The collection above are all of the dresses, skirts, and tops that have made my lust-list for this winter. All of their blouses/cropped tops would be sexy paired with a high-waisted A-line skirt. Allowing you to show just enough skin without it being risque (in case any of your parties are work related.) You can check out their full line at pacsun.com 

Happy Monday!

{❤︎, b.}

weekend spotlight // "strobing"

Alright— so I'm trying to organize my posts into specific days so that everything is more streamlined here on the blog— so in effort of that, our beauty spotlights can be expected here on the weekends. 

Now that my disclaimer is out of the way… this weekend's spotlight is on the beauty world's "newest" trend: strobing. What is strobing, exactly? To be honest…? It's pretty much a fancy new term for highlighting. (I guess the beauty "rule-makers" have decided that highlighting can only be a verb when used in tandem with contouring) But regardless of it's title, it's a beauty trend that's blowing up this season, and I suspect we can see a lot more of it to come in to the new year. 

Unlike contouring (as you would with a bronzer, let's say) strobing is used to amplify reflection areas of the face where light already naturally hits. So think forehead, apples of cheeks, and the bridge of your nose… These light-reflecting points, when done right, create a luminous, dewy finish to the skin that just screams YOUTH! It also keeps you fresh-faced and glowy as you're heading into the ultra dry winter months.

a quick-guide to strobing:

Hopefully my illustrations help a little. It's honestly a zero-effort look that anybody can pull off. My only bit of advice is, if you don't typically wear a full face (i.e. foundation, concealer, powder) go with a cream, stick or liquid highlighter. It's  far more blendable than a powder and is much more user-friendly for those of you who don't feel like makeup pros. Listed below are some of the best-of according to Omi b. —in every variety— so feel free to play around with the different textures. It may take some trial and error before you find which one you like best. (note: my personal favorite is the Benefit High Beam…hands down!)




{In order from top left: Josie Maran wand & illuminating gel/$28 
E.L.F.Highlighter Wand/$3; Elizabeth Arden Hightlight Pen/$28; MAC Highlighter/$26; NARS Strobe Stick/$40; Lord+Berry Strobing Stick/$20; Laura Geller Baked Highlighter Duo/$43; Laura Mercier Candleglow Illuminating Pallette/$58; Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up Cream-to-Powder/$58; MAC Mini-Strobe Cream/$10; Benefit Highbeam/$28; L'Oreal Silver Highlight/$11; Bliss Get Set & Go Makeup Setting Spray/$24; UrbanDecay Cooling+Hydrating Setting Spray/$30; UrbanDecay All-Nighter Setting Spray/$30; L'Oreal Paris Infallible ProSpray/$14; E.L.F. Setting Spray/$3; TopShop Glow Polish/$16; Supergoop Defense Refresh w/spf50/$12}

To really get your glow on point I recommend using a good makeup setting spray (which you'll notice I've included several in the list above) the Supergoop Defense Spray is an excellent choice for daytime and particularly if you are someone who doesn't always remember to apply sunscreen as part of your normal daily regimen. It's a lot heavier than others though— so if you're oily or acneic, I do not recommend that product for you. Like I mentioned before, my personal must-have highlighter is "Highbeam" by Benefit. It's the easiest to use— you seriously can't eff it up if you tried. It is a liquid blend however, so the only catch with those is that you don't want to do all of your strobing zones at once cuz it'll dry to the skin too quickly. I like to stick to just working from the top of my face downward. (i.e. forehead/brow areas— to cheekbones/nose— to lip/chin) 

I hope that this review has been helpful, and as always, don't be afraid to ask questions! We've all gotta learn somewhere, right? 

happy highlighting, loves! 

oh! & happy Monday too! 

{❤︎,b.}





















"STROBING" MAKEUP // FACIAL HIGHLIGHTING by omi-b on Polyvore

affordable holiday home decor

ENTERTAINING & HOLIDAY DECOR MADE EASY

Target (as always) is my mecca! If you're entertaining family and friends for the holidays, or if you're just looking for adorable ways to spruce up your home for you, Target is your 1-stop shop for affordable, fancy touches. In the gallery above I've listed the items that I have in my queue to ready my home for the next several months. We always have family come to SoCal for a visit so making space for everyone can be tricky...at least tricky to keep organized and cute at the same time. With these simple additions I think we'll find that this year, it's a breeze. 

Click the Polyvore link on the blog to view prices for items in this gallery, as well as other related boards. Don't forget to add me so that we can become decorating buddies! Can't wait till next weekend!! The holidays are officially upon us...

{ ❤︎, b. }

Fall staples // day to night

Fall staples // day to night by jenbreslin785 on polyvore.com

Some more current loves in my soon-to-be Fall wardrobe....clearly I have a certain obsession with dressing up casual staples like plaid button-ups. With a sexy pair of skinny jeans, in multiple colors, it allows all pieces to be mix-and-match--giving you countless ways to wear each look. Certain pieces I'm on the hunt for at a "steal" price rather than splurge that they're listed at....but at least I know what I'm looking for now.

Okay--now back to my vampires;) Seriously tho' ladies, if you wanna watch some fine ass men....

{❤︎, b.}

WWTF // summer break-up

Dear Summer:  

I think that we should see other seasons... It's not you, it's me... 

It's just that, I sort of hate you these days! I'm really sorry. I hope we can stay friends. 

>>> <<<

Okay, now that I am back on the market for better, cooler months it's time to get myself in top form. Namely, my FACE! 

In the wake of my crappy relationship with this Indian summer, all I have left is dull, cracked, congested skin that seems to never want to stop flaking off of my body. I don't even blame it...i'd ditch me too in this condition.

The humidity has been through the roof lately and the only downside to living by the beach these days is the void left in my heart, where A/C should be. It's been miserable! If you have oilier skin like me, then you live in a special kind of misery... known as acne.  Because when heat fluctuates between dry and humid like it has been, oilier skin types will notice a lot more congestion (or "bumps") in the t-zone. Over-dried skin only makes us produce more oil, and humidity makes us sweat-- so when you do the math on that equation the results are pretty bleak. In order to restore this skin type it takes some major exfoliation. One super fast solution to that is the Clarisonic. 

{insert heart eyes emoji and confetti blowing out of your computer}

The Clarisonic has been my go-to in predicaments like this for many, MANY years now....I want to say that I bought mine in 2010... and I'm happy to report that, despite my reservations about spending $150 on a brush, I've used the very same Clarisonic for all of those years. (I'm pretty sure that even cars don't last me that long.)

So, just note that if you're eyeing one, it pays for itself in the long run. You'll get a TON of use out of it. You can use it on other parts of the body too. I like to use it on my chest and occasionally my legs, too. They sell brush heads that are a little bit firmer for thicker skin on the body and it's good to keep on hand during drier months when skin can get ashy.

>>> <<<

The beauty of it is that it can be used with any cleanser that you have on deck (or, for the body, just plain soap) and it'll get the job done. It cuts down needing to buy an additional exfoliant, which is nice if you don't like having a lot of products taking up bathroom space and it's a no-brainer to use. Although, I have to advise you against following their directions to use it twice daily....Maybe to kick-start the first day or two, but after that you'll be so buffed out that your skin feels like it could bleed if you smile too wide. 

(just my personal opinion) So I limit it to once a day (I prefer night) and skip a day in between once my skin gets back to all of it's smooth glory....You don't have to overthink it  either.  just use it when you feel like you're congested. Stop when you don't. Simple. The only thing that you need to remember is to change out the brush heads every 2 months or so. Which aren't very expensive ($20) and can be picked up in beauty supply stores like ULTA.

✚ The reason for new brush heads is so that you don't harbor bacteria in the bristles. It's easy to forget to change those out but make it a point, especially if you're prone to acne. Anything wet is a breeding ground for p. acnes bacteria, so I'd also suggest you try to store it face up, in an area that can let it dry out. 

And... I can't forget to mention that it scores brownie points with the menfolk also...the spinning brush head really helps heal in-growns from shaving and can prevent them too! 

{❤︎, b.}

✢ organization // erin condren ✢

I hate using my phone for organization. I love it for everything else, but the calendar is just one of those features I don't use. Call me old-fashioned but I guess I need to break up the digital-obsession where I can, and I much prefer to actually write down my to-do lists. 

Last year I ordered a planner from Erin Condren after I saw my bestie's ADORABLE customized one and now...i'm hooked! In fact, as I'm writing this I'm actually customizing my new planner online since mine is coming to an end in December. I can't fathom how disorganized my life will become without one! 

When you visit her site you start by selecting from a bevy of different templates she offers (all equally feminine and cutesy) and from there you can begin customizing everything from the colors to the cover design and the display name. In my 2015 planner shown above I literally customized every detail down to the line placement. And of course, the display name was edited 'cuz I'm a freak about penmanship and how my name is written-- "it needs to say 'jen b.'...and there needs to be a period after the b...AND it needs to be all lowercase--no, I don't care about grammar, oh and can we make it white?" 

{poor Erin}

But my girl delivered! And it came precisely how I'd asked her to make it...every single annoying request I made. I also chose to purchase one of her add-on features: custom STICKERS!! I sound like a 13 year old girl saying that so excitedly but I'm telling you--they're awesome! 

You get to choose the colors and names for those as well, cuz she means it when she says "customized" (yes, I was a pain in the ass with those too) and they're a really cute way to quickly mark dates that are important and make those dates stand out when you're glancing at your calendar. 

Inside looks like this. Each month is color-coded. I want to meet her and hug her and maybe ask her to be best friends for enabling my OCD tendencies! It's just a very functional planner that happens to be f'ing perfect to look at. The ONLY downside is that it takes awhile to arrive, what with everyone making a fuss about periods and lowercase lettering...

Mine took about 6 weeks to finally be delivered. I was like a sad puppy staring out the window every time I heard a UPS truck drive by--but it's worth the wait! 

And even though I wouldn't normally spend $55+ on a day-planner of all things, I can honestly say that I am so in love with it and I'm totally happy with my purchase! (Clearly....I mean...I AM buying it again as we speak) 

OH and ps: they make great gifts for girls in your life, especially those who are a little harder to shop for. Everyone has loved mine since I got it and I've ordered 2 as gifts that were total hits! They're unique and come on...everyone loves having something personalized, right?! 

{❤︎, b.}

➳ The Beach People Giveaway ➳

Photo provided by The Beach People

For those of you who follow The Beach People on Instagram, you may have seen details of the giveaway they're doing to promote "The Adventure Tote"--a new carryall from their line of totally amazing beach accessories. 10 lucky winners from all across the globe will receive a prize pack, complete with an Adventure tote, Aztec Roundie,and Leather Strap! 

The Beach People, started by two sisters based in Australia, are the creators of the original "Roundie"....a circular beach towel 5 feet in diameter, that is seriously the 

c-u-t-e-s-t thing to hit the beach since Kelly Slater and baby-bikinis. And of course, being a cali-native, I want them ALL. Hey, if we don't get real seasons then I at least want year-round beach cuteness. I'm already on-board to preorder their limited edition Palm Springs Roundie, which I got a sneak peek of during a recent photoshoot they had at Ace Hotel....a print that made my southwest-obsessed heart practically implode. 

All you have to do is visit them online HERE and sign up to enter by October 9th, 2015. Entries close at 11:59pm (AEST) so be sure to sign up in time!! 

❤, b

a year-round MUST-have

Summer is over...and even though it's still 90 degrees here in Southern California, it's bound to start cooling down here soon. (Right?...please!!) But just because the weather gets colder doesn't mean that a daily sunscreen isn't mandatory! Not just for the obvious "don't get skin cancer" reasons, but because using a daily sunscreen protects the clarity, tone, and youthfulness of your skin. 'Cuz believe it or not, UV rays causes more acne and premature aging than anything else--it even tops smoking and stress! So I wanted to share with you all a product that I have been a die-hard fan of for the past several years, PCA SKIN Weightless SPF45. 

Now--I have absurdly oily skin, and pores large enough to probably smuggle drugs in, if I felt so inclined (don't worry, I'm won't)...so for me to wear a sunscreen diligently, it needs to NOT feel like a sunscreen. PCA created this product specifically for those of us who struggle with more oil production, knowing that we usually hate the stickiness of traditional sunscreens. Which is precisely why I adore this product. They deliver what they promised. 

It's formulated with Zinc Oxide and Octinoxate (the usual suspects ;) and has a special ingredient: caffeine! So it disappears into the skin and helps tighten up pores--not to mention it helps to brighten the appearance of skin. What I love the most about it--beyond my absence of skin cancer--is that it gives a really beautiful "glow" but stays a matte-finish all day. Almost acting like more of a primer than a sunscreen. 

Hands-down this is a favorite among all of my clients and seriously the hardest product to keep stocked on the shelves...but I'm glad that they've become fellow die-hards too;) 

I'll be doing other reviews from this medical-grade line I love in the future, you can definitely count on that, but you can go to www.pcaskin.com to learn more about other amazing products they sell. They have items categorized by skin type making it really easy to navigate through their catalogue. 

If you're curious about details: a 2.2oz bottle costs around $45 and only a pea-sized amount (whether after/or mixed in with your moisturizer) is needed. Most bottles last you about 6 months. I purchased my last bottle in May and used it religiously all summer, while force-feeding it to my daughter too and I'm only now just running low. So I think it's a worthy investment! 

❤, b