Feelin' sassy

Remember when I told you that I bought myself a bright red lipstick? (And I used Marilyn Monroe's birthday as an excuse?)

Well, late last night I was feeling a bit bored and decided to put on aforementioned lipstick, which I had received a week or so prior but had not yet tested.

I slicked that baby on my lips, added a little black eyeliner to really get into the Marilyn Monroe-mood and then this happened:

Yep. You can't leave a bored Carissa unattended with makeup and Photo Booth. Silliness will inevitably ensue. All while crooning to Natasha Bedingfield's latest CD, "Strip Me," and a little Adele thrown in for good measure.

Now, about the lipstick. It's Kat Von D's Painted Love Lipstick in Underage, which as you can see is a bright crimson. It's a bit pricey at $18 (I usually satisfy my urge for new lips products at the drugstore, though I did fall prey once to a gorgeous gold tube of YSL lipstick that put me back 35 bucks) but it had such glowing reviews on Sephora that I couldn't resist. And while I have plenty of pink lipsticks and glosses, I didn't have any true reds in my collection. Plus, who can say no to that awesome tattoo-inspired packaging?

Thankfully, the lipstick is worth every penny. The color is a bit shocking in the tube but I think it looks very flattering on and could easily be dialed down with some balm or gloss. But what I love most is that it delivers rich, saturated color that didn't dry out my lips and didn't budge during my singing-modeling sesh :) I'd say I had it on for at least two hours and it looked like I had just applied it when I finally went to wash my face and hit the sheets.

And perhaps most importantly, putting on that spicy red lipstick made me feel sassy! I'm planning on going out dancing with the girls tonight to celebrate a friend's birthday and you can count on my new, red, look-at-me lips making an appearance. I'm really going to paint the town red!

What's made you feel sassy (and perhaps a bit silly) lately?



Lipstick photo via Amazon

Uh oh...

I better hit the gym quick because I just bought this...

Retro Push-up Halter Top and Foldover Scoop Bottom, in carabi dot

Man, I must have been feeling bold to buy a bikini! Too bad I couldn't purchase the model's body and her perfect golden tan to match.

Oh, well.

But I did pick up some yoga pants to help encourage my jiggly self to get on the treadmill.

Yoga Foldover Crop Legging and Yoga Foldover Legging

But... I also bought this.

Paisley Cover-up

Just in case. :) Plus, it's pretty!

I can't believe summer is here! Schools are out, temperatures are creeping up ... and I'm having a shopping spree with my Victoria's Secret card! Haha.

Hope you're having a wonderful week~

Shoulder envy

Shoulder envy, as in, I envy whoever has this on their shoulder!

The above image-- featuring the new Kristin Op Art Ikat Print Satchel and Kristin Ikat Large Wristlet-- popped up in my inbox today and I was instantly smitten. I just love ikat! It's fun to look at and fun to say. And we all know I love Coach, so it's a match made in purse heaven.

Not to mention, the soft colors are perfect for summer and will go with just about everything in my wardrobe. Now all I need to do is save up a couple hundred dollars.

But first, one more decision: hippie, satchel or hobo? I think I like the hobo shape best...

Just dreamy.

A new 'do

This past weekend, I FINALLY got a haircut!

Nothing major, mostly a trim-- about two inches all around plus a few long, face-framing layers. Even still, my hair feels so light and small. I think I was more attached than I thought! Honestly, I don't even remember the last time I got a haircut. It has to be at least two years ago, but maybe even longer (I shudder to think!). In photos from four years ago, my hair is very blonde and above my shoulders. Now it cascades over my chest, even with a few inches missing. I had been diligently growing it out since seeing photos of myself pre-Locks of Love, when my hair was the length it is now. Those shots-- taking during a cruise on spring break, where I look infinitely happy and relaxed-- instantly made me miss my long hair and I had refused to get near a pair of shears ever since.

I was in desperate need of a fresh look, though, to get rid of the dead ends that were literally beyond repair, no matter how much deep conditioning I did. And I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Before, my hair just hung there, all one length. "High school hair," my stylist called it. I never thought of it that way before, but yes! That's exactly what it was. Just a few snips gives me some movement and I think the entire 'do looks more polished and well kept.

You'll notice I didn't change my color. I'm still pondering. My hairdresser suggested doing a color weave, like I've done in the past, but this time adding a warm buttery tone along with a shade of red to create a sort of strawberry blonde effect. Like I said: Still pondering :) I'm having trouble committing to going red! (Even though, some people already consider me a "red head," as I have been called such several times lately. I think it's deceiving angles and sunlight that must create that magical effect.)

One more thing. I decided to try a new stylist this time. There's nothing wrong with my former one. I had been going to her nearly all my life-- well, at least since junior high, and that's when what my hair looked like began to matter! But I thought a new set of eyes-- a younger pair, with a bit more modern sensibility-- would do my tresses some good.

And my referral came from my former editor! His wife did my hair. If you live in the area, I definitely recommend checking out Jenny at Claudio Marino Hair Design, 20929 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. If you are interested in making an appointment, just send me an email and I'll give you her number. (Oh, and she does Brazilian Blowouts-- one of her specialties, she said.)

Now, I just need to take Hazel in for a haircut. She's looking awfully fluffy! But awfully cute. (I hate to cut her hair even more than my own!)

When's the last time you got your hair cut?

Happy Birthday, Marilyn!

I know the day is almost over but I couldn't let it slip away without wishing a happy birthday to one of the original glamour pusses, Ms. Marilyn Monroe. Can you believe she would have been 85 years old today? I stumbled upon these images earlier, which showcase a star in the making, and my breath was taken away. How stunningly gorgeous is she? I mean, she always looks good in any of the many photos that have been released, but she just looks so young and fresh and full of life here-- ready to tackle the world!

These photos, taken by LIFE photographer J. R. Eyerman, show the 22-year-old starlet in her early-career days, when she was still a newbie in Hollywood and her locks weren't yet that platinum blonde she later would become known for. Eyerman captured these photos in the fall of 1948, following Marilyn through the showbiz training-- acting, singing, dancing-- that would one day make her an icon.

Below are a few of my favorite photos (don't mind the arrows), but you can see the entire 18-image collection (and get the story behind the photos) in the LIFE.com gallery.

I love the mix of grace, attitude and casual realness in these photos. I've always loved Marilyn just for the fact that she was such an incredible sex symbol and yet she wasn't a toothpick-- she had curves and she knew how to work them! She oozed confidence and I could definitely learn a trick or two. I really want to watch some classic Marilyn films now... "Gentleman Prefer Blondes" or "How to Marry a Millionaire" or maybe "Some Like It Hot" ... Do you have a favorite?

And while we're playing favorites, which other silver screen sirens are you a fan of? Old school or new school, I'd love to hear!



P.S. In honor of Marilyn's birthday, I purchased a bright red lipstick for myself that I plan on wearing fiercely, most likely with a smoky eye but perhaps with some heavy, black liquid liner too, a la the timeless beauty herself. Don't you love how I can find any excuse to purchase makeup? :)

P.P.S. This is my 300th post! Woo hoo! I'm sure it would be a lot higher if I posted every day, but hey, you gotta pick your battles.