Fall Fashion

The air is crisp and cool and the leaves are falling...you know what that means! The fall season is here, and so are the 2010 fall fashions. The recent nude tones have inspired me to come up with this outfit. You have your basics: a cashmere sweater, a simple scarf to losely wrap around your neck (Burberry), dark wash straight leg jeans, chesnut flats to bring out the stripes in the scarf (Tory Burch), a timeless leather bag (Marc by Marc Jacobs), drop earrings to complement the color theme, and a bright cocktail ring for that pop of color that will bring together the outfit and incorporate the red stripes in the scarf. As you know, I dress for style and comfort, and this ensemble is perfect for a day at school/work, a walk in the park, or lunch with friends. This look can be pulled off at any age and will appear youthful and radiant if done correctly. I suggest a loose ponytail so that the scarf does not appear too bunchy and large. Leather boots can also replace the flats if desired. Happy fall!

Boots, Boots, Boots!

My absolute new obsession for this fall is leather or slouch boots. They have been on my mind all the time recently. I'm super picky, so finding the perfect pair (little or no heels, right shade of brown leather, slouchy in the right places) has been driving me nuts! These are some I've had my eye on lately: 

Homecoming One Week Beauty Countdown

Day 7

Day 6

Day 5

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2

Day of Homecoming!

It's always a good idea to have a plan before a big event such as homecoming (I know I'm excited for mine!). Always buy your ticket in at least a week in advance, and have your dress/shoes at least two weeks before. But the most important thing is to have a preparation plan so you know you'll look stunning on the dance floor. Here's a step by step plan for your special day:

Day 7: Give yourself a facial-Use pore strips to remove any dirt and oil in your pores before deep cleansing. Be sure to use a gentle scrub that will exfoliate your skin and get rid of any dead, dry skin. You should feel fresh and clean afterwards! Biore has a great pore scrub and strips. Tip: leave the pore strips on for 10 to 15 minutes to dry completely and get all the junk out of your pores.

Day 6: Deep condition your hair- leave in dry hair to suck up more moisture, wait 10 minutes and rinse for a shiny, healthy look (to avoid a greasy look) Garnier Fructis has a sweet smelling deep conditioner. Tip: Rubbing your hair with towel will create unwanted frizz, so ring your hair out, don't rub

Day 5: Shape your brows- in order to avoid redness that occurs right after overplucking or waxing, you should do this a couple days before the big night. Stencils help you avoid giving yourself too thin and high arched brows. I also fill in my eyebrows slightly to give an Audrey Hepburn full brow look. The Anastasia Brow Kit has everything you need to make your brows look beautiful! Tip: use a clear brow gel to make sure your brows aren't all over the place.

Day 4: Exfoliate your skin- no one wants dull and dry legs, arms, or feet. So I would suggest using a sugar scrub to wash those dead skin cells away. Yuck. Tip: Don't scrub too hard, or your skin will be damaged

Day 3: Try on you outfit- it's always best to try on your dress and heels to make sure that there aren't going to be any wardrobe emergencies (loose threads or broken zippers). Walk around in your outfit to make sure everything is still comfortable. Tip: use double sided tape to close gaps between your dress and your chest if you have a low cut dress.

Day 2: Test Drive Your Makeup- This means hair and makeup, ladies. This way, you can predict how long it's going to take to get ready so you won't be late. Try that new eyeshadow, look at different angles of your face (and remember, cameras will be snapping pictures left and right for Facebook and the yearbook, so look your best!) Tip: natural is the best way to go

Homecoming Day-Yay! You should be all ready to go, with clean healthy skin, a great look, and shiny bouncy hair. Now, all you need to top it off is a manicure/pedicure. The reason why waited this long to do your nails is to make sure your nails look fresh. Be careful though! You don't want to show up at homecoming to discover that that one nail WASN'T dry, and you got some on your dress! Dipping your hands in ice water will help your varnish dry faster and stay stronger for a longer period of time. Tip: use a Q-Tip dipped in nail polish remover to clean up the nail polish that got on your skin.

How to Wear It

Sorry I haven't had a post in a while, I was out and about this weekend at a conference. However, I was at a session where a speaker from a modeling agency stood out to me. Her outfit grabbed my attention because it was VERY unflattering, so I wanted to make a post on how to choose flattering outfits.

The first series of pictures show some very unflattering high fashion runway outfits. If you look closely, you can see that they are very bunchy and have thick layers that don't show of the curve of the models,  therefore making  beautiful women look hideous.

The second series of pictures (including my favorite model, Chanel Iman) shows flattering dresses that make each model look comfortable, curvy, and gorgeous.

The trick to making a flattering outfit for any body shape is to be honest with yourself. Look in the mirror and decide which features you like best. Do you like your arms, your legs, your thin waist, or broad shoulders? Try to incorporate a clothing piece that brings attention to that part of your body. Throw a belt on top of your skirt or shirt to make your waist stand out. Wear a tank top to show off your toned arms. The right pair of heels can show off your defined legs. Whatever you wear, bring attention to what looks best! 

My Accessory Obsession

When I have bad hair days (or just want to throw my hair up in a messy bun) , I usually add a headband to create the illusion that it took effort to do my hair that morning. I absolutely ADORE Anthropologie's headbands. They are great quality and beautifully made. They are a bit expensive, but they are worth the money in my opinion! Check out all the hair accessories Anthropologie has here.

Outfit of the Day

The Equestrian trend is one I found to be adorable if put together correctly. The highlights are the leather riding boots, plaid blazer, and studded hand gloves. What is a trend that has caught your eye?

Multicolor Manicures

I recently came across a new trend that caught my eye....multicolored nails! If pulled off correctly, this look can be chic and classy looking. Some color schemes that I've seen are monochromatic (dark to light/light to dark of the same color), complementary, and black to white/white to black. It's a very daring look, but a very fashion forward one! Have you seen any trendy nails recently??

Things Every Girl Should Have

Every girl needs some awesome accessories to make any outfit stand out. Here are some things that I keep in my closet at all times: 

• Go-To nail polish color: "Set the Mood", Sephora by OPI
• Giant leather bag to throw in all your stuff for a day/night out (Urban Outfitters), with just enough color to pop.
• Sun glasses that go with everything (great for all seasons)
• Black versatile heels- amazing with a dress or jeans

From these things, you can make a dull outfit look amazing. I believe accessories are a staple items that can make or break an outfit. What are some accessories you can't live without? 

Fashion's Night Out 2010

              
Fashion's Night Out 2010 PSA from Fashion's Night Out on Vimeo.


If you've picked up an issue of Vogue or Teen Vogue lately, you've probably seen the dozens of ads out there for "Fashion's Night Out 2010". This night is a globally celebrated evening on September 10 from 6pm to 11pm where anyone can go to participating retailers and watch fashion shows, eat treats, watch showcased fall trends, and shop! You don't have to live in New York City (which will be hosting the biggest public fashion show in history), just search for the nearest location that will be participating here: http://www.fashionsnightout.com/fno-elsewhere/. The proceeds from buying the FNO t-shirt will go towards the New York City AIDS Fund. This is such an awesome event, so don't miss it or you'll regret it, trust me!

Fall 2010 Trends

Here are some fall trends that are arising in the fashion world as we speak. The fifties have influenced this season with neckerchiefs, feminine silhouettes, and gloves with fur (or faux fur) coats. Some beauty trends include red lipstick, winged eyeliner, and bigger hair on the runway. 

Bombshell Hair

As I said I would earlier this week, I went out and purchased the Sultra "the bombshell" clipless curling iron. This product is fantastic! At first, it took me a while to get the hang of using it, but once I did, it became super easy and fast to create beautiful, shiny and soft curls! I am really impressed because usually, it takes me half an hour or more to curl my thick hair, but with this curling iron, it took me about ten minutes, including the time it took for the iron to heat up. Plus, since it curls hair so well, there is no need for hairspray unless you're going to be out of the house for more than about 7 hours. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is looking for incredible curls in less than half the time. 

ps: for loose curls, it takes 3 to 5 seconds, but for tighter curls (like Taylor Swift's, it only takes a couple seconds longer) 

Here's a video on how to use the product: 

Natural Makeup Look

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Who wouldn't want to look naturally beautiful? This year, the trending everyday makeup look is to have a light natural makeup. This is my daily routine:

• wash face with cleanser
• apply moisturizer and neutrogena sunscreen (to prevent sun damage and wrinkles)
• buff on the bare minerals matte (#1) 
• add a touch of clinique blush to the apples of cheeks
• apply Kat Von D. "tattoo liner" liquid eyeliner (#2), in the color "Maya" to the eyelash line on the top and bottom of eyes
• curl eyelashes (to give the effect of bigger eyes)
• apply a few coats of IMJU Fiberwig mascara (#3) 

Trust me, the best compliment is to hear that people don't even know that you're wearing makeup! Good luck! 

Loving the Lace

My everyday style consists of very laid back, comfortable outfits. Jeans are a staple item in my wardrobe, and since I live in a place which usually feels like an inferno, I wear a lot of racerback tank tops. Lace has come back in style lately, and I've been looking everywhere for anything lace. I still haven't let go of the whole zipper style, so I fell in love with this top from Urban Outfitters. It would go great with a nice pair of jeans and a cute pair of strappy steve maddens! Do you have any adorable outfits that you've found recently?

Chanel Ambassadors

What every fashion-obsessed girl wants to know is what a Chanel Ambassador does. Derek Blasberg (who wrote Classy, "exceptional advice for the modern lady"- a personal favorite book of mine) digs into the lives of the Chanel Ambassadors to find out what privileges an Ambassador has. What girl wouldn't die to be friends with the legendary Karl Lagerfeld, take home beautiful pieces from the not-yet-released Chanel collection, or go to Chanel fashion shows in Paris?! One can only dream....

Shoe Wish List

As far as heels go, these two pairs are by far my favorite. The first ones are Jimmy Choo Glenys heels, with the gorgeous zip up front. The second pair are the ever so popular Christian Louboutin classic black Italian leather heels. Unfortunately, not all of us can afford shoes that cost over $1000. So for now, these are on my shoe wish list.;) 

10 Must Haves

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So here are some fabulous finds I have discovered lately. I've personally tried all of them (except for numbers 1 and 2, but I plan to purchase them this weekend), and they are the best beauty products I own. Some may be a bit pricey, but they are well worth every penny. I would definitely recommend all of them!

1. Sultra "the Bombshell" curling iron: $130
2. Sephora by OPI, "Just a Little Dangerous": $9
3. Nivea "A Kiss of Moisture" lip-balm: $3
4. Bare Minerals, Mineral Veil: $19
5. Bath and Body Works body mist, "warm vanilla sugar": $12
6. Bed Head "Ego Boost" leave-in conditioner: $15
7. Clean & Clear makeup dissolving foam cleanser: $6
8. Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector: $50
9. Diorshow Maximizer lash plumping serum: $28
10. IMJU Fiberwig Mascara $24