Category Archives: Fashion

Summer Must-Have: The Tunic

I don’t know about you, but every summer I live in tunics…and this summer is no exception. They muti-task over cutoffs, jeans, swimsuits and depending on the length can even be worn as a dress. Ahhhhh…what summer dressing all about!

Here, what I’m coveting right now:

Enza Linen Striped Tunic Tank, $69 at calypsostbarth.com

Lem Lem Striped V-Neck Tunick, $200 at barneys.com

Lilla Stripe Tunic, $240 at shoplatitude.com

 

Ballerina Girl

Product Review: Linge Shoes Ballet Flats

I love sky high heels as much as the next girl…as long as I’m sitting down. The moment I have to walk around in them, I’m miserable, which is why my flip-flops get more than their fair share of play time. Looks like my summer staple has some competition.

Enter Linge ballet shoes. They’re made from soft, top-quality leather so they’re super comfy and a breeze to slip on and off. They’re really light (ie. portable!) so perfect to pop in my bag for easy, quick access if I need to step out of my heels and into something that’ll show my feet some love, plus they look great with skirts, dresses, jeans and shorts.

I definitely found a new shoe to get me through the summer. Linge Shoes Ballet Flats are light, super-stylish and come in 12 gorgeous colors–just what the foot-doctor ordered!

Linge Shoes Ballet Flats, $59 at lingeshoes.com.

(photography courtesy of lingeshoes.com)

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Switch Up Your Style with Hair Jewelry

The easiest way to get out of a hairstyle rut is with a great hair accessory, and the best way to wear it is a bit unconventional. I’m thinking decorative headbands, bobbies and even special necklaces pinned in place (see above) for a statement-making finishing touch.

3 ways accessorize your hair and do it right:

  1. Slip a headband into a loose style without pulling hair back.
  2. You don’t have to be invited to a British royal wedding to pull off this look but you do have to have loads of confidence. For when more is more!
  3. Pretty barrettes and bobbies dress up long and short hair alike. Hold back bangs, decorate a carefree twist or add some magic with three in a row to accompany a low side part.

(featured image courtesy of lefashionimageblogspot.com)

(gallery images (left to right), Athena Headband, $20 at urbanoutfitters.com, Katie Burley Millenery Midnight Flight Feather Headband, $200 at urbanoutfitters.com, Dipali Bobbies, $24 at anthropologie.com)

And the Award Goes To…

The big night has come and gone and the 86th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood at the Dolby Theatre did not disappoint. We knew Ellen would entertain, make a few cracks and still remain lovable. And chances were good that Lupita, Jared, and McConaughey would take home golden statues…but when it comes to “the look” who got the highest rankings from The Beauty Wall?

While I loved Jennifer Lawrence’s orange-red Dior, Amy Adams in Gucci and Lupita Nyong’o’s Prada it was Cate Blanchett who stole the show! Her gorgeous nude Giorgio Armani Prive gown with Swarovski crystals and sequins was age, occasion and attention-grabbing appropriate and her hair and makeup was just right.

Makeup artist Jeanine Lobell created the  timeless “Modern Movie Star” look for Blanchett. Here, the products she used so you can copy it at home:

EYES-
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Quad #2 Effeto Nudo – Jeanine used the warm taupe shade all over as a base; the deeper taupe on the lid and feathered it into the crease to open up the eye; the light brown was mixed with the deeper taupe and applied to the outer crease and center; and the darkest brown was wet and used as a liner

Troy Surratt Lash Curler

Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara – After cutting a strip of false lashes and applying to the corner of the eye, Jeanine applied the mascara to the base of the lashes and pressed it in to give her real lashes a false effect

Makeup Forever Brow Gel

FACE-
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence – Jeanine patted this into the skin before applying foundation to allow her to use a more lightweight foundation and to ensure it will stay put all night long

Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush #10 Beige – Jeanine applied this to the apples of Cate’s cheeks and feathered it out before applying a second coat to ensure she looked like she was glowing from within 

LIPS-
Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in #103 – Jeanine finished the look with this creamy, beige-y pink

 86th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals

 

Opening Ceremony’s Fall/Winter 2014 Runway Nail Look

I’m crazy about this cool runway nail look: the negative space diagonal nail design mani created by Naomi Yasuda for essie. Clearly, the inspiration behind the nail look for Opening Ceremony’s Fall/Winter ’14 collection was the asymmetrical clothing in rich green, blue and gray tones.

essie nail products used: “first base” base coat, aruba blue polish, go overboard polish, master plan polish, “good to go” top coat

To get the look:

  1. Apply first base base coat to clean, filed nails.
  2. Once dry, apply one coat of aruba blue, go overboard or master plan (depending on color preference) to the pinky on left hand and ring finger on right hand.
  3. Next, apply preferred polish shade at an angle across each additional nail and fill in the space to make a diagonal design (each nail from the thumb to ring finger should have a different ratio of color to natural nail).
  4. Finish with good to go top coat.

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photography courtesy of essie and vogue.

The Must-Have Body Shaper!

Right on the heels of the holiday season comes the first of the year’s many awards shows for those in “the industry”–The Golden Globes. Once again, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler rocked it! They gently and not-so-gently poked fun at the celebs in the room driving home the point that they’re all only human. But, for being so close to the holiday season, the majority of the actresses in that room sure looked great in those gowns. Maybe they didn’t indulge as much as some of us, but maybe they did. And if they did indulge maybe their little secret is the Almighty Cincher by Amia.

If you have a special dress you’d like to squeeze into or want to rediscover (or find for the first time) your hourglass shape, this body cincher can help you do it in an instant. It will dramatically whittle your midsection so your tummy is gone, gently support your spine and lengthen your torso to relieve back pain and some users even report a 1-4″ reduction in their midsection from wearing it for 8-10 hours a day for 30 days.

But beware…it’s snug! So snug that if you’re between sizes and want to breathe I highly recommend you size up when ordering. Give it a shot. You’ve got nothing to lose, except a few inches!

Almighty Cincher by Amia, $54 at www.hourglassangel.com or www.amiashapewear.com.

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Pantone’s 2014 Color of the Year?

Though I know I’ll still be wearing Emerald (Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2013) in 2014 you can expect to see lots of bright, gorgeous, Radiant Orchid! This new “it” shade–a purple with fuchsia and pink undertones–flatters most skin and hair tones and is already saturating the market in beauty, fashion and home decor. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute  says “it inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health,” and she goes on to describe this flattering-for-all shade as “surprisingly versatile.”

Whether you’re a purist and will stick with Radiant Orchid as is, or you prefer purple, pink or fuchsia, you’ll have lots of choices. Check out some of my favorites, and get ready to turn heads.

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Diva, $25 at shiseido.com. Liquid lipstick with intense color. It’s moisturizing, non-bleed and has a gorgeous lacquer-like finish.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Orchid, $26 at sephora.com. Glides onto lids easily (no tugging or pulling) and really brings out the green in my eyes.

Laura Geller Beauty INKcredible Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Purple Rain, $20 at Ulta.com. Highly pigmented color won’t smudge, smear or run.

Sinful Colors Professional Nail Enamel in Dream On, $1.99 at walgreens.com. An inexpensive, easy way to be on-trend!

Voda Swim “Sports Illustrated” Bikini in Fuchsia Shimmer, $66 (top), $44 (bottom) at vodaswim.com. Called thus because it was featured in Sports Illustrated! It doesn’t get much sexier, for those who find themselves poolside.

Proenza Schouler Mini Pouch Crossbody Bag, $1325 at Saksfifthavenue.com. If money is no object, this crossbody is the must-have bag of the year!

H&M Fleece Top, $29.95 at hm.com. Because you want to look good while working hard for that body.

(image courtesy of Pinterest)

 

 

Sticky Shoes!

I’ve discovered a genius product that I wish I’d found years ago. Sticky Shoes shoe tape is a double sided super-strong adhesive tape that keeps your shoes right where they’re supposed to be, securely on your feet!

No more slipping and sliding out of heels that are slightly big. Simply peel the backing on each double-sided strip and and firmly press down on the inside heel portion of your shoe. Done! Those shoes aren’t going anywhere you aren’t. Walk, skip and run with confidence–you won’t leave those shoes behind!

Sticky Shoes, 12 pairs/$8.95, www.stickyshoes.com.

 

(photo, courtesy of Pinterest)

These are a few of my favorite Things…

Are you a “wait-until-the-last-minute” kind of shopper? If so, you can still make someone very, very happy! Here’s what I’m hoping to unwrap:

Sweet Dreams One taste and you’ll be hooked for life! Nordstrom Makers Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, $20 at nordstrom.com

Rock On Diamonds, sapphires, chalcedony and white gold. Hey…a girl can dream. Nam Cho Blue Sapphire Armor Ring, $6,825 at fragments.com.

To a Tea When a good friend went to China she gifted me with the most delicious fruit and flowers tea. So delicious in fact that I wouldn’t share and was heartbroken when my stash was gone. It took me a while but I found tea just as wonderful. Washi Tin, $12.95, Rock Sugar $8.50 per 16 oz. and Opus Rouge Rooibos Tea, $7.98 per 2 oz. at teavana.com.

Face Time Ultra-plush, high-performance makeup brushes in a pretty silver box. It CosmeticsLimited Edition Luxe Blurring Micro-Airbrush Brush Collection with Stand, $59.50 at QVC.com.

Warm Up Because cashmere is always in style and vertical stripes never hurt anyone’s figure. Aqua Cashmere Sweater, $106.53 at bloomingdales.com

Twinkle Toes Gold silk velvet, leather and Swarovski crystals adorn these flats worthy enough for any royal. Emma Hope’s Regalia Ballerinas, $498 at anthropologie.com.

Let It Snow I’m coveting these snow globes because they work with any decor and they’re just as magical now as they were when I was a kid. Snow Globes, $13-$17 at www.westelm.com.

Play On For the child in all of us.  Striped Ukulele, $29.95 at paper-source.com.

Smooth Operator My husband would love this…there’s something very James Bond about a luxury shave set. Jack Black Luxury Shave Set, $200 at getjackblack.com and Nordstrom.

What Stylish Girls Know That You Don’t

The mixed-temp days of fall makes it very hard to give up some of my summer wardrobe faves entirely. I might even take things a bit too far by wearing flip flops until the first snowflake hits the ground…but that’s just me. Though summer shoes should most definitely be tucked away until at least Spring, you can make your warm-weather clothes work overtime and look extra-stylish in the process. Here, some savvy layering know-how.

Keep your summery, flowy dresses, skirts and even shorts and pair them with opaque tights, boots or booties and your choice of the following add-ons:

 

(photography courtesy of Pinterest)