Sunday, September 27, 2009

Redefining Ladylike: Old Colors, New Looks

There are certain colors worn by women which have been considered classic 'girly girl' colors. These tend to lay on the reddish spectrum of things. The four basics; red, pink, purple and coral. Through the decades we have seen our mothers, aunts, grandmothers sport these until we almost associate these colors with a certain level of tackiness which is not deserved by the innocent colors that have been abused and sometimes butchered. They've seen it all, from shoulder-pads, spandex mini skirts, plastic bangles, patent shoes, you name it, they've seen it. So I thought it would be fun to create new work-friendly look using these same colors & attempt to reinvent them.

Purple

 Skirt, ModCloth $49.99, Satin Blouse, Forever21 $15, Shoes, NineWest $89, Bag, Jessica Simpson $88, Nail Polish 'Tallulah', Nars $16, Earrings, Top Shop $16, Ring, Charlotte Russe $4, Perfume 'Lola', Marc Jacobs $65

Pink


Dress, Miss Selfirdge $59, Shoes, Carlos Santana $91, Bag, Kenneth Cole $66, Nail Polish "Dahling", Butter London $14, Earring/Ring Set, Forever 21 $6, Perfume 'Very Hollywood', Michael Kors $65

Red

Blouse, TopShop $55, Skirt, Newport News $19, Shoes, Delias $60, Bag, Liz Claiborne $50, Nail Polish 'Glam', Pop $14, Necklace, Talbots $39, Watch, Anne Klein $55, Perfume 'Magnifique', Lancome $49

and Coral

Dress, Spiegel $54, Shoes, Anne Klein $38, Bag, Elliott Lucca $134, Earrings, Kate Spade $55, Cuff, Kate Spade $74, Nail Polish 'Cute as a Button', Essie $8

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Not Your Grandma's Clutch!


I happen to be currently in love with Vintage-looking clutches. I know, in a sea of animal print that has decided to claw its way into mainstream Fall fashion this year I come bearing gifts of a classic vintage look that might be refreshing to those of us which have to fight the urge to growl at the sight of cheetah print. I found some lace, worn-in leather, 80's comebacks and the always awesome beaded.






French Connection Damsak Clutch $74, J Crew Luciana Minaudière $148, Liz Claiborne Bow All in One Glazed Leather $72, Newport News Clutch $39, Marc by Marc Jacobs $278, Moyna Handbags Ice Rose Clutch $295, TopShop Floral Glitter Clutch Bag $50, Bebe Metallic Mesh Clutch $19, Spiegel Embroidered pleated clutch $34, Arden B. Textured Snake Clutch $44, Steve Madden Piper Clutch $38

Top image credit to liebemarlene

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Celebrity: Yay or Nay...

Our girl for this week is the ever lovely Amanda Seyfried. She can act, she can sing, she can dance... but can she dress? I love the hair, it looks sleek, soft and bouncy. I adore the shoes because I love suede shoes but do I love these silky short and bulky jacket? I don't know. You be the judge





I don't know, the jacket looks like a reject from Nancy Reagan's closet and the shorts look like something that would be really comfy to sleep in.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Shopping to support the cause


With Breast Cancer Awareness Month, just around the corner, pink ribbon products are popping up right and left.

With a history of breast cancer in my family, I enjoy supporting these product lines. This week, I am obsessed with Estee Lauder - shocker, right?

As part of their annual Pink Ribbon line, they have released the Elizabeth Hurley Lip Design Collection, which consists of a Elizabeth Pink lipstick, Pink Lady lip gloss, and Pink Writer lip liner all packaged in an adorable pink faux snakeskin embossed mirrored case.

Additionally the purchase of this product will help support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. What's NOT to love?!

A Girl's Bestfriend

I have become a love-sick teenager over this new website I discovered and it made me realize that Marilyn got it wrong when she said diamonds are a girl's best friend. Because the real best friend is shoes. Shoes and purses. So I post this almost as a lament because unfortunately one cannot buy any of this stuff in the US yet. Yet. I'm hoping they re-arrange their accounting department and make it feasible for me to purchase some of these absolutely awesome items and most importantly essential. Very essential.

The website is Faith.co.uk and I lust it. I lust it very much right now. Some of my favorite items that would be perfect and delicious for my fall wardrobe would be the following:



Right? You agree that I must have them, yes? But noooo, I can't have it because I live in the US. So I'm stuck in Starbucks drinking my Vanilla Chai Latte. Damn it all!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

To bump-it or not to bump-it?


I purchased a bump-it two weeks ago with very low expectations. For $10, what did I have to loose?

Nothing! As a matter of fact, I have gained fabulous hairstyles. I have worn my bump-it 5 times since I bought it.

The package comes with 3 bump-its; a mini bump-it (for bumping your bangs), a large bump-it (for everyday styles), and a Hollywood bump-it (for bold hairstyles).

The bump-it that I have used the most is the large bump-it, which I have used with my hair down, half up and in a pony tail.

When purchasing your bump-it choose the color that most closely matches your hair color (blonde, light brown, dark brown, or black). Choosing the proper color helps avoid "being found out" if the teeth of the bump it stick out.

From my experience, I have learned the following "best practices":

1. Part your hair horizontally about one inch back from your hairline, and tease, tease, tease. This was my major mistake when I began using this product. Teasing your hair helps build volume (so the insert doesn't show though) in addition to helping secure the bump it.

2. Place the bump it on the crown of your head just behind the section of hair that you parted.

3. Smooth sectioned hair over the top of the bump it, combing into place, and spraying with a medium hold hairspray (use bobby pins to secure if styling half up).

4. Be sure to remove carefully, do not pull through hair!

Happy Bumping :)


Sunday, September 20, 2009

Celebrity: Look of the Week

My favorite look this week goes to the ever charming Emily Blunt, her taste is always flawless and classic and this look made me love her even more.






The retro halter dress, the 40's heels, chain purse with a bow on it and the classic ponytail? Adore it! Plus, it's almost polka dots and I adore polka dots.

So, how can you re-create this look? Allow me :)


Antonio Melani Dress @ Dillards $114

+

Laure by Ralph Lauren Ankle-Straps Sandals @ Bloomingdales $89

+


Bow-Chain Sachet @ Aldo $14

+

Earrings @ Banana Republic $34

+



Angora Cardi Polish by Essie $8



Total Cost of Outfit: Around $260

Yes? No? Maybe?

Saturday, September 19, 2009

the girl who shopped too much

There is no shame in admitting that a woman has a problem with shopping. More specifically that a woman has an uncontrollable addiction to shopping, one that may or may not lead to a very bad debt problem. The question more settles as to why a woman has an addiction to shopping. Is this her only addiction? The answer is who the hell cares; if the shoe was pretty then you better have bought the damn thing. Let us identify some classic signs of shopaholic behavior - warning, if you find yourself having two or more of these attributes the chances are that you are indeed a shopaholic stuck in your very own taboo closet.
  • You find yourself calculating what you will purchase based on your paycheck.
  • You think if you spend this money on new makeup you will simply have to live off noodles and water for the next week. It's doable.
  • You reason that the pair of shoes you have at home are not exactly like this. No exactly.
  • A party is an excuse to shop.
  • You understand that with the changing of the seasons come the changing of wardrobe. And nail polish.
  • You understand that animal print CAN go wrong. Very wrong.
  • You own more shoes than the month has days. Even the LONG months.
  • You understand that magazines are the bible written by women, inspired by gays.
  • Dollar menus were invented in order to shop more. Seriously.
  • The color orange should only be handled by those that understand it, like those people that handle blowfish.
  • You wonder for hours in the day why you can't just be paid to shop or write about fashion. Yes, we wonder the same thing.