I’ll admit it, dates aren’t my strength.   I forget birthdays and anniversaries, and apparently my own blogoversary as well.  Little Miss Flower City Fashionista turned three on April 4 and I didn’t so much as send myself flowers.  The nerve!  I’d apologize, but that would just be weird…

So instead, let’s grab a glass a champs, have a belated blogoversary party, and take a little trip down memory lane with a few superlatives for my favorite and most noteworthy posts over the last three years.

At Lucky FABB (first blog conference) in October 2013

Most Likely to Get on a Soapbox:  From the Ground Fashion Show:  A Recap

Best Use of Vintage:  Born in the Wrong Era

Reader’s Choice Award:  Finding the Courage

Most Hate Mail Received:  What NOT to Wear – Even When “People” Tell You You Should  (See also Most-Likely to Elicit a Visceral Reaction from Crop-Top Lovers Everywhere)

Most Likely to Wind Up Pregnant in a Wedding Dress:  ROC’n the Runway Part 1, Part 2

Strangest Use of a Metaphor:  I am Captain von Trapp

Favorite 90s Teen Movie Shout Out:  Two for Tuesday:  One Day, Two Looks

Best Use of the High Road:   Encourage Beauty

Most Pinned Outfit:  There’s Some Prep in the Old Girl Yet

Best Blogger Impersonation:  How to Dress Like a Blogger in 5 Min or Less

Most Likely to Hang Out with Bravolebrities:  I Got #RealPersonal with Nene and Gregg Leakes in NYC

I’m still in awe of everything that has come out of this little ol’ blog-o-mine.  From speaking engagements, to modeling opportunities, launching a personal styling business, and being hired by SHC as a Personal Shopper, sometimes I have to pinch myself.  I’ve been able to do what I love and build my brand all while staying home with my children.  I feel so blessed and so grateful that I took this leap of faith, that one day I decided to write about what I love and be open to whatever opportunities came my way.  Joan Lincoln did a great job profiling me and the opportunities that have come out of Flower City Fashionista these last three years in her most recent article for Rochester Woman Magazine, which you can read here.  I’m so lucky to have such support from the local Rochester community and readers near and far.

Thanks for reading, sharing, supporting and letting me turn my passion into the career of my dreams!

Love you guys!

xoxo

Jenny

PS- Did your favorite post not make the list?  Please share below!  I’d love to know what you love!

PPS- See who made the cut last year.

Okay, probably not… (I try not to roar in public).

But there is a good chance you’ll see me rocking my leopard clutch if you do see me out and about.

This $7 Forever 21 clearance find has become a wardrobe staple.

Worn here with vintage jewelry, GAP dress, Lands End tights, and Aldo shoes.

Worn with GAP scarf and boyfriend jeans, Target tee and booties, and Buffalo moto jacket.

Here with some more vintage jewelry and an A New York shift dress.

And here with Ross sunnies, Peppermint kimono, GAP skinnies, and Target booties.

Could your wardrobe use a little more “roar” factor?  A leopard clutch is a great way to add visual interest and a pop of pattern without looking too over the top.  Work it as a neutral and wear it with virtually anything.  The one I have is sold out (sorry) but here are some more great options:

Splurge:

Clare V Foldover Clutch $210.00 Piperlime

Steal:

Leopard Fold-Over Convertible Clutch on sale for $29.94 at Express.

Local:

Animal Print Corduroy Clutch $40.00 at JEM Design.

Which do you like best?

xoxo

Jenny

Before I trained to do makeup, my wingtips looked more like raccoon-eyes than cat-eyes. I had no clue what I was doing… who was I kidding?! This is how it would typically go: my left eye comes out perfect, my right eye- WAY too thick, so then thicken the line on my left, now that one is way too thick, try to remove some of it with Qtip, now everything is smudged all over my face, wipe of everything with makeup remover and start over. Who has time for that?!

Photo Credit

Today I’m sharing my tried and true method to achieving the perfect cat eye (and keep you from looking like Amy Winehouse).

First, make sure your eyelid is primed with a good eyelid primer. This fills in any creases and creates a nice, smooth surface for your makeup to adhere to and allows it to last throughout the day. There are many eyelid primers to choose from out, but I recommend: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion ($20- Ulta).

Get some.

One of my biggest problems was that I was using a pencil eyeliner! Who knew?! The trick is to use either a liquid liner or a gel liner. My personal favorite is the gel. It comes in a small jar that you can dip a pointed liner brush which allows you to control how much or littler you use.

There are millions of expensive ones out there, but honestly Maybelline makes one that works just as well, if not better, than the other pricier brands. You can get it in different colors such as Black, Brown, Charcoal and Eggplant. I use: Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in ‘Blackest Black’  ($6.99- Target).

Buy it.

Dip the brush in, remove access on side of jar, then start by making a thin line directly along your lash line. I recommend starting from the inner corner of your eye, working the line to the outside. What type of brush you use is crucial to creating the perfect line. The Maybelline liner comes with a brush, but it’s not as fine pointed as I prefer, so I use: Sigma Eyeliner Brush E05 ($12- Sigma Beauty).

Buy it.

When winging the liner out, start thin and make an angled line aiming towards where your eyebrow ends (but don’t draw all the way up to your brow!) If you start thin, then you can always go back and fill in more. Go from the tip of the wing and draw a line going back towards the middle of your lash line. Fill in the rest with the liner, creating a triangle.

Photo Credit

I always add a light colored eye shadow to my lids to make the eyeliner pop even more! I recommend using colors that are nude, cream, or even pale pink. I personally use: MAC Vanilla Eye Shadow ($15- Nordstrom).

Buy it.

If you notice that you made the triangle too think, dip a Qtip into a teeny amount of eye makeup remover to remove the excess. Make sure to not put too much on, because it will smudge all of your beautiful foundation that you have already applied and we don’t want that to happen.. our time is precious, ladies. I use: Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover ($5.99- Target).

Buy it.

Now step back and admire your beautiful, perfectly winged eyes. Maybe even take a few #selfies.

When going for a wingtip, do you prefer to go more simple… or dramatic?

Stay beautiful,
Laurie

Laurie Berry is a professional makeup artist and stylist. In addition to being the Beauty Correspondent for Flower City Fashionista, she also blogs about all things preppy, fashionable, and fabulous at Upstate Stylista.