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!