Escape room escapades!

A man can die but once.
— Henry IV Part 2

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Imagine embarking on a mind-bending journey that will challenge your wits, teamwork, your relationships, and possibly your sanity. Get ready to escape reality and dive headfirst into a world of riddles, mysteries, and if you’re lucky a few hints and a whole lot of laughter. This, my fellow swagsters, is exactly what happened to yours truly.

The SETTING: The lobby (in particular, the escape hotel I visited) was filled with eager adventurers, all ready to tackle the mind-boggling challenges that await. The employees, from the moment you step foot into the hotel, are fully immersed into their character, leaving no room for doubt that you're about to embark on an extraordinary adventure. Our particular concierge greeted his guests with a theatrical flair, speaking in riddles and cryptic clues, setting the stage for the mind-bending challenges that lie ahead.

The TASK: You're spoiled for choice with a variety of themed rooms that will test your critical thinking and your problem-solving skills. Pro-tip:  If you are no good at either, choose your partner wisely (smile). From ancient Egyptian tombs complete with mummies and ill-gotten treasure to be had, to antiquated elevators that should have been put out of commission eons ago, each room offers a one of a kind escape experience. Another Pro-tip: Read the waiver you have to sign carefully just so you know what you’re signing up for.

TICK TOCK:  Time is your worst enemy in an escape room, and the pressure is on! As the minutes tick away, you'll find yourself frantically searching for clues, deciphering cryptic messages and occasionally arguing with your teammates over who pulled the wrong lever. You'll quickly ascertain who the natural-born leaders are, who gets easily distracted by shiny objects, and who has a knack for finding hidden compartments. Just remember, it's all part of the fun, and the more chaotic, the better. 

To sum it all up, escaping the room is just the cherry on top….the icing on the cake, so to speak. Don’t forget to savor the chaos and the madness of it all, because that’s the best part.

Happy escaping!!

PRO TIP #112

The #1 Way to Add Instant Style to Any Look

You have witchcraft in your lips....
— Henry V
Sweater: ZaraWhite shirt:  H&MLipstick:  MAC Rubywoo

Sweater: Zara

White shirt: H&M

Lipstick: MAC Rubywoo

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Doing this one thing will add instant style and glamour to your look, no matter what you’re wearing or how you’re feeling. You could be dressed to the nines, out on the town in your best outfit, or running errands in leggings, a t-shirt and a baseball cap, having had only a couple hours of sleep. It doesn‘t matter. Doing this one thing will pull your entire look together, no matter the situation.

So, what is it, you ask?

Well, the next time you want to snazz up your look, simply add a red lip. Yes, it‘s truly that simple! Find a color that suits you, (Mac’s Ruby Woo is fabulous on ANY skin tone…..like, I’m serious…) line your lips in a lip pencil that is a similar shade (this will ensure the staying power of your red lippie..), and then rock your lipstick.

The great thing is, whether you’re wearing a full face of makeup, or nothing but moisturizer, this red lip will not only look fabulous, but make you feel fabulous, too. (Hidden Bonus: Red lipstick makes your pearly whites appear even whiter!) Now, what’s not to love about that!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO



2019 Fall/Winter Trend Alert: The Tall, White Boot

VALENTINE
’Tis true; for you are over boots in love,
And yet you never swam the Hellespont.

PROTEUS
Over the boots? Nay, give me not the boots

VALENTINE
No, I will not, for it boots thee not.


— The Gentlemen of Verona Act I, i
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I was sooooo skeptical about this trend. I had been hearing everywhere about how the white boot is so popular this fall/winter season, and that it is really very versatile and easy to wear. Wait. What?! How can a super white boot that seems like it would stand out, be easy to wear? I just found that hard to believe.

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Well, after watching several fashion videos on Youtube showcasing white boots being styled with multiple outfits, I began to take a closer look at this trend. The first thing I did was think of an outfit that I could easily pair with the white boots BEFORE I bit the bullet and bought them. (Did you check out that unplanned alliteration?) After that, I thought of about two more outfits, which made a total of three, to justify the boot purchase. That’s a good tip, by the way. If you can find a minimum of 3 outfits to wear with whatever you plan on buying, chances are you will get your cost per wear out of that item.

So, after searching online, I found a pair of fabulous tall, white boots from Fendi. They came in a range of different colors and fabrics, but I settled on the white neoprene boots. I even caught a 30% off flash sale from Luisaviaroma which totally solidified my online purchase! I ordered them. They came.

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When the boots came, I took them out of their box and drooled. Undoubtedly, they were fabulous. And I loved the modern heel shape. I decided to try the boots on with the outfit pictured: A No. 21 skirt, with a print that I LOVE, a chic Joos Tricot turtleneck, some blue tights, and a Rockstud Valentino pvc purse which was perfect because it didn’t clash with the printed skirt at all. I topped it all off with my beloved turband from Cult Gaia.

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Let me tell you. I fell head over heels with these boots (like Valentine said in the Two Gentlemen of Verona quote above) and the outfit. I wore this outfit to work and my feet didn’t hurt ONCE. I’m a teacher, so I’m on my feet a lot during the day, and I had ZERO issues. I just felt fabulous, and now this is one of my favorite outfits. But wait. It gets better. While trying on outfits to go with these boots, I found SOOOOOOO many other fabulous options. It’s literally like those boots went with everything I tried on. NO LIE. The white boots actually behaved like a neutral, which means they damn near go with everything, making everything look even more fabulous.

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The only problem I have now is not pairing them with everything, every single day, because they do stand out, and people will start saying, “She must be trying to get her money’s worth!”…….LOL.

Bottom line: I will be getting my money’s worth, because these boots are one of my best purchases of 2019. Shout out to Fendi!

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How do you feel about white boots? What’s your favorite type of fall/winter boot? Let’s chat about it in the comment section.

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

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How dapper are you? An easy but effective way to add style to your fall wardrobe.

I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use. ‘Tis for the head.
— Hamlet Act V, ii
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I know, I know…..sometimes you just don’t have the energy or patience to plan out a fabulous outfit. You just want to throw something on and go. However, if you’re a bit like me, you like to at least look like you’ve put some effort into your outfit, even if you really haven’t. If the latter is the case, I have THE perfect solution. Think about donning a fall cap. It can transform a plain outfit into something snazzy in one fell swoop.

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The outfit I’m wearing in this post is a prime example. It´s basically a black turtleneck from Zara, and some blue jeans from Dolce and Gabbana that I’ve had for a while. I added this totally rad belt from Alexander McQueen that I’ve had for ages, and my cute gold chain Gucci purse. The belt and the purse are easy ways to add some pizazz to an otherwise simple outfit. The leather jacket and hat are the icing on the cake.

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Drum roll please…………This cool hat is from H&M´s men‘s department. So, gals, don’t forget to check out the men’s section for things to wear. It‘s like doubling your search field….:-)

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Let me know what your favorite fall mad hatter styles are down in the comment section. I´d love to know!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

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I‘d rather be naked! (3 things to do when you have NOTHING to wear.)

He wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat.
— Much Ado About Nothing Act I, i
PC: meHeadband: Gucci , Dress: Vivetta

PC: me

Headband: Gucci , Dress: Vivetta

How many times a week do you stand in your closet and proclaim “I HAVE NOTIHING TO WEAR”…knowing good and well that this should NOT be the freaking case. (This is definitely a first-world problem,…and the sin of gluttony at the very least…..but don’t judge…lol. Before running to the nearest mall in despair (are malls still a thing)….or your nearest keyboard to order something cute online, check out my three tips.

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TIP #1 PINTEREST

Are you still sleeping on Pinterest? Well, today you are going to get that app and get yo life all the way together. Pinterest is a powerful search engine that you can use for all kinds of inspiration, including fashion. I love to type in a particular looks, such as spring/summer outfits, or transition to fall/winter outfits. You can even get specific and type in boots, or leather coats, etc. Go ahead and create some boards and keep your looks on tap. That’s what I do. Check mine out for all kinds of swagalicious looks.

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TIP #2 SHOP YOUR CLOSET

Don’t underestimate the depths of your closet. First, have a clear out. Donate or sell all of the clothes and shoes you know for sure you won’t don anymore. Take them to your local Goodwill, or sell them at a second-hand shop, or on apps such as DePop, Poshmark, or TheRealReal, for example. Now you’re ready to take a double take at all of those shirts, sweaters, and skirts, that got pushed to the back of your closet. That skirt you bought on sale, it’s a great color, great fit, still has the tags on it,…pull it out! What about that sweater you haven’t worn in a while, pull it out of your drawer and give it some love. Now, lets see what we can do with these pieces that we’re about to give new life to.

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TIP 3 TRY DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS

After perusing Pinterest, you no doubt have several outfit ideas you can’t wait to try out. Instead of pairing the same outfit combinations you normally do, try something different. Pair different patterns, colors, add some new jewelry, etc. Also, try different shoes that you wouldn’t normally wear with the outfit you’re creating. All of this will give you the feeling as if you are wearing a brand new outfit. And the best part is, you didn’t spend any money, and you potentially made some money from the sale of unwanted clothing items. Now that’s a WIN-WIN!

BONUS TIP

There is also an app that I’ve recently discovered called Stylebook. With this you can upload your clothes to the app, and the app gives you wardrobe suggestions that you may not have thought of. There are also other features such as a calendar which can potentially help you take the guess work out of what to wear for the upcoming week. Give it a try! :-)

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Those are my tips on solving the “nothing to wear” problem, and avoiding you just giving up and leaving the house in your birthday suit…lol.

Let me know if this is something you regularly do, or if you decided to give something I mentioned a try. Would love to hear from you!

Thank you for stopping by! XOXO

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Do you have a signature scent?

Monster, I do smell all horse piss, at which
my nose is in great indignation. (IV, i, lines 223-224)
— William Shakespeare, The Tempest

First of all, let me say HAPPY 47th BIRTHDAY to me…July 1st…Cancers rule…(ok…I’m done….lol)! And, secondly, let me assure you….I smell heavenly. No whiffs of horse piss, Mr. Shakespeare…lol. This post is all about scents…..signature scents to be exact. Do you have a scent that your friends, family, co-workers, etc. associate with you? Do you tend to go for sweet , floral, leathery, musky scents. or soft , fresh and woody smells? Now, I’m not a “scent specialist”. I’m not well-versed in the perfume lingo, however, I have found the particular oils, trees, and/or flowers that are a part of the scents that I love. I must say, that it took me a long time to find my signature scent. In my twenties, I wasn’t even into perfumes. My thirties were a hodge podge of trendy scents that didn’t appeal to me at all. Believe it or not, it wasn’t until my forties that I began to really hone in on what kinds of scents I really love and what smells good on me. Some of those scents are: patchouli, cardamom, sandalwood, jasmine, fig and vetiver to name a few.

Let me give you some EXCELLENT advice. NEVER buy perfume or cologne for someone that you don’t know very well. Perfumes are really intimate gifts. Giving a scent to someone you don’t really know, may result in said scent lying in the back of a drawer, closet, or gathering dust on a shelf. Or even re-gifted…lol…which actually is better than lying around gathering dust. Pretty bottles don’t make the perfect gift for someone. I cannot tell you how many gifts of perfume I have received, that after one whiff have gone to the perfume cemetery to be laid to rest. Don’t be the that kind of gift giver….lol. Let your gift of perfume live.

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Absolutely LOVE Le Labo´s Santal 33. Apparently, the sandalwood in this scent works divinely with my chemistry. I love it. Also, at the Le Labo counter they custom mix the scent for you and tell you all about their philosophy while you wait. Finally, you can even personalize the bottle. Even though it is a bit pricey, you can take the empty bottle in and get 20% (I think) off your next bottle. How cool is that!

Hat: AsosJeans: Dolce & GabbanaTop: Wayf

Hat: Asos

Jeans: Dolce & Gabbana

Top: Wayf

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This Tom Ford is a really grown up and sexy scent. Apparently they harvest the jasmine flowers at night because that is when they are their most fragrant.

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This scent from Jo Malone is so light and airy to me. The cardamom is divine. I can wear this and never get tired of it. I will say, that out of the two…this fragrance has the least projection…(learned that from YouTube…lol). It also tends to fade after a while.

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Have you found your signature scent? Let me know which scents are your absolute favorites.

Thank you for stopping by! XOXO

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