I’ve been actively working on adding more color to my wardobe, but black is just… so easy. So easy in fact it can make a Monday look quite glamorous.

Being summer I threw on some nude heels and a coral lip.

Some gold accessories to show of my currently-in-progress-tan.

The exposed zipper adds a bit of fun to an otherwise conservative little number.

Dress is Target sale rack (picked up on the fly), shoes are Nine West, jewelry is Stella & Dot and J. Crew Factory Store.

I’m back at the helm of STMMS and thrilled to share another one of my to-die-for products. Ladies, summer is here and that means short skirts, so lets get down to business!

I’m a big fan of Sally Hansen for some Drugstore magic. The Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs is another winner that knocks it out of the park. If you are gearing up for a night on the town, a wedding, or any other cocktail affair - this is a must to add to your beauty routine.

Image c/o ddtgirls.com

Airbrush legs does exactly what you’d expect it to do. It gives flawless legs without tanning or pantyhose and makes legs look absolutely amazing. Makeup for your legs - and it does the freakin’ job. I’m admittedly self conscious about my legs, but this really goes the extra mile. It makes all the difference in photos and I 100% recommend you pick it up NOW.

The best details? The product dries in about 30 seconds and stays put until you shower it off. It wont end up on your clothes, on chairs, or on your date either ;) The can lasts forever, and it costs under $15. Enjoy!

May was a busy busy month for me. So busy, I failed at my reading goal and only finished one book. See what I did there? Made an excuse, whatever - judge me. Now, let’s get down to business…

Grace: A Memoir

Grace Coddington’s memoir was just delicious. I was very pleasantly surprised to find a story about so much more than just fashion. Don’t get me wrong, the fashion stories are phenomenal, but this woman has lived such a full and amazing life. There is unbelievable heartbreak, great triumph and constant strength through it all. Not to mention her adorable sketches that are included throughout - they really bring the story and Grace’s personality to life. Her writing style is so warm and honest you can help but feel like you are catching up with a great friend who is giving wonderful advice and entertainment over each page. Even if you aren’t a fashion fiend, this is  worthwhile read. I hope you enjoy it! Buy it here. 

While I didn’t read another book - I had to share that I did just watch Valentino: The Last Emperor and this was a fashion film to the T. Since it’s a documentary with sub-titles can it count as slightly intellectual? K, thanks. Major praise to my Italian roots - this man knows how to make clothes, throw parties, and live just perfectly in Roma. If you are fashion crazed, I totally recommend it. Bonus - it’s streaming on Netflix 

I couldn’t resist sharing the suggested the new summer look that popped into my inbox from Stila, after all I’m a big fan. 

What caught my eye - pun intended, was the gorgeous shade of pink eyeshadow. They show the sketch with blue eyes, but I LOVE to wear pink eyeshadow during the summer months. 

My girlfriend picked me up a shocking pink shadow as a gift a few years ago and I was unsure what to think. I was worried pink eyes would make me look…like I had freaking pink eye. Gross.

Surprisingly the color looks AMAZING on tan skin, dark hair and dark eyes. It’s not a color I would have ever picked up for myself but am so glad she forced me outside of my makeup bag. 

So blue eyed or brown eyed — try it out, I think you’ll love it! 

The lovely Why CLE? put up a raving post on her Instagram about a new favorite hair product and I just couldn’t resist asking her to give us all the full details for a Stuff That Makes Me Squeal guest post. I’m thrilled to share Jen’s awesome review below. Drop a comment if you squeal over any of the Living Proof products - I’ve never used them before so, I’d love to know! Thanks again for sharing your secret with us, Jen!

Hi there! Nadine was gracious enough to allow me, very much not a style blogger, to share with you one of my new favorite products: Living Proof Prime Style Extender.

I have naturally curly hair that is a bit on the thin side, so control and hold are two big issues for me. I’ve tried mousse and gel with varying degrees of success. The Prime Style Extender gives me style that lasts all day, without weighing my hair down.

I run a dime-sized amount of the Prime Style Extender evenly throughout my damp hair just prior to blow drying. The Prime Style Extender has a pleasant smell (although that doesn’t last much past blow drying) and is not greasy or sticky. If I’ll leave my rings on while applying a product, you know it doesn’t leave residue!

For my hair, this product works equally well with holding the style from a flat iron or curling iron (for loose, beachy waves). By the end of the day, a minor hand-fluff will have my hair looking just as fresh as it did just after styling. I also notice far fewer fly-aways. Because of my hair texture, I can’t usually go for multiple days without shampooing, but Prime Style Extender does claim to cut down on the need for daily shampoos.

Living Proof Prime Style Extender is definitely stuff that makes me squeal! You can find Living Proof Prime Style Extender at Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, and select salons and the cost is around $20 per tube.

Thanks to Nadine for the chance to guest post! Blog the New Black is also stuff that makes me squeal!

For those of you that love your Google Reader (and follow this little blog here in Google Reader) I wanted to share my next step for making sure I can still get a beautiful feed of all my favorite blogs once Google Reader bites the dust.

I just spent some time importing my Reader into BlogLovin’ and it was as simple as a few clicks can get! It has a similar layout AND has a great iPhone app that works just fine on the iPad - something Google Reader was missing entirely. So, I totally recommend it if you are loyal to your reader and are looking for a solution.

Time for my shameless plug, follow me while you’re there. My page can be found here. I’d hate for you to miss an update after Google shuts the reader down!

I can be obsessive when it comes to the hunt for the perfect hair products, it’s no secret.

Well, my boyfriend’s mother gifted me with this amazing coconut oil from Hawaii, one of her favorite places to vacation. At first I was using it as a body oil, since it’s lightly scented with gardenia it makes for a great perfume and moisturizer. It’s completely organic and just divine.

Over the holiday weekend I was catching up on some magazine reading and read an article in Elle about proper hair care and treating our hair with the same regimen and maintenance that we treat our skin. The article recommended coconut oil hair masks as great treatment to prevent hair from drying out. Apparently the oil in coconut oil helps keep hair protected from the damage that hair constantly goes through from  being wet and then dry again.

Obviously, I took that opportunity to take an Epsom salt bath and give my hair a nice and long oil soak. I slathered the stuff throughout my hair and let it sit for 40 minutes before shampooing as normal. I skipped my usual condition treatment, fearful it would leave my hair too greasy. After a quick blow dry my hair was transformed. It was as soft and smooth as it is typically right after a hair cut and needed very little maintenance. My blow out the next day still looked great and I had no need to use any hot tools on it to keep it looking polished. A great treat and treatment for your hair once a month. Pick up a bottle of the Maui Natural Organics here for only $15 - your hair will thank you!

Is there anything more fashionably American than denim and ponytails? Wherever you live in this great nation, I hope you enjoyed the holiday and gave extra thanks to the wonderful service men and women who protect our great country.

In college I had a girlfriend with a denim sofa that was affectionately nicknamed Denim Dan. Anytime I wear a denim tuxedo I can’t help but sing ‘DENIMMM DANNN’ over and over in my head. Though ridiculous and silly it always brings a smile to my face.

Another classic is always a high ponytail. So chic and easy when you can’t be bothered with the maintenance of a blow out. Effortless!

Yesterday I attended a beautiful luncheon  at a local country club to hear professional coach and speaker, Connie Dieken give a talk on presenting your true self. I was invited by a lovely friend who always presents her real self, I Heart Cleveland (thank you again Charity!)

So, what do you wear to a country club lunch when you’re a business lady and not exactly a lady who lunches? 

A simple white t-shirt and my new J Crew Factory store lilac pencil skirt seemed to fit the bill. I didn’t want to feel too stuffy between the warm weather and the business meetings I was running to and from yesterday.

Of course, no spring look is complete without the perfect pair of heels. Mine are from Nine West, find a similar pair here.