In love...

Hi pretties! So really quickly I wanted to write about a pic I saw of Sienna Miller and her adorable new hair!! I've always wanted to put a fun color in my hair ever since Christina Aguilera showed up to the VMA's with blue and red streaks in her hair but sadly my mom would never allow it! So I was browsing through people.com and saw a pic of Sienna Miller with Tom Sturridge (Robert Pattinson's bff <3) in which the ends of her strands had an orangish tint to them! I absolutely love it!

Lauren Conrad and Kate Bosworth both did dyed ends, in colors like blue, pink, and fushia but Sienna's look seems more natural! I am tempted! 

*sigh*

*swoon*

xoxo

My must haves...

The weekend is almost upon us and I know a lot of you are working for the weekend...not me! I am missing my boyfriend's golf outing in honor or his grandfather which makes me really sad but I'll be there in spirit! So I did my fav skin products a few posts ago and now I wanted to do some key pieces in my wardrobe that I find myself reaching for time and time again.

The first is blazers, especially the black LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's option I bought last fall.

I bought it in a size bigger so I can wear it with anything! <3

Next is my Coach Kristin "Willow" in black. I bought this bag at the Coach on 5th Ave in New York City and it definitely has a NY feel to it. You can't tell in the picture but the chain strain changes to either be long or short in a snap! One of my best investments! 

I think most girls would agree with me that dark denim is a must have in their rotation. It goes from day to night seamlessly and is extremely flattering! Only drawback to dark denim is color transfer especially on light leather or suede bags so beware! 

As much as I love heels I usually end up in flats because my boyfriend is only 3 inches taller than me so I don't like towering over him in stilettos so my Coach London flats get a lot of wear! I bought them for an interview in New York and have actually gotten a ton of use out of them. Coach still makes these in some new colors and textures so I'm still tempted to order more :)

And who can forget the classic black, white, or gray T-shirt! I go through these like crazy because I usually pair them with scarves or bold jewelry on days when I'm feeling uninspired, usually by the end of summer these poor things are in and out of the laundry! I get mine from Mossimo for Target because they're inexpensive, fit perfectly, and have the cute little pocket. 

(Bonus: Whenever it's girls night out and I can wear heels my favorite pair to bust out is my Coach Ocelot print w/bow detail peep-toes!)

[no longer available]

What I love about all these items (and I'm sure you feel about your own must-haves) is finding new ways to wear them and make them feel new again! Also, I just bought a camel colored cable knit sweater that I cannot wait to try over my brown maxi, weather permitting! 

xoxo

Penny for your thoughts...

So literally since last Sunday I have been dog sitting! First, my parents went out of town so I had to watch Zoey and Taylor then my friend Molly's brother got married (CONGRATS!) in Colorado so I had to watch her mother's pitbull Daisy but I couldn't get the internet on my MAC there so I got some QT with a few magazines in preparation for the upcoming season; FALL!

One of the big trends that I am really loving is the penny loafer shoe coming back!! Whether heeled or flats, penny or no penny these shoes are coming back in a big way. The nice thing about penny loafers is they can be worn to the office, running errands, after work events, etc; they're so versatile! Christian Louboutin loves this trend and covered  his loafer with tassels! Magical!

I also found this pair by the designer that is a little more traditional-the color is awesome too! 

For a little more realistic option Aldo and JCrew both are getting in on the trend! Here are a some options I found for both...

Aldo offers a few different options but this is the "Tiff" is was my favorite!

JCrew has heeled and flat versions and this color is very neutral-you can wear it with black and brown :)

The penny loafer is a great alternative for those of you who cannot get into the oxford trend but want to dip their toes in the menswear! I recently added a rose gold boyfriend watch to my jewelry/menswear collection that I'm super psyched about! 

You can't tell from the picture but it has a opal type finish to the face <3

Enjoy the last few nice days of summer-I'm still waiting for the leaves to change 

xoxo

Sleeping pretty...

Due to my impending 25th birthday I'm starting to think about growing up more seriously because well, I'm actually growing up. Yuck!! Now that I've been seriously considering my next move which may be living with my boyfriend I thought, "Oh no, I always have to look cute!". That means at bedtime too! So I've been recently stocking up on cute pj's that are cute and warm, I also bought a robe in addition to my white spa-like robe to wear before bed! Luckily for me Lauren Conrad just released a sleepwear line for her LC for Kohls collection. It's classic Lauren, very pretty and feminine so I invested in a few items thus far that will help me feel pretty without sacrificing my comfort. Here is what I've got so far!

The bows and lace are very ladylike! Plus the color flatters

The bow compliments the pants and can be worn with other jammies I acquire

I got this in a size bigger than I normally wear so the sleeves were longer! It's so soft! 

I also get a lot of flannel pjs from Ralph Lauren because they have the cutest sets during the fall and winter! So as soon as they start getting those in I'll be heading over to find some warmer options! Between my hands and feet I need all the help I can get! I am definitely one of those people who instantly put on my jammies when I get home so I feel like it's important to have some pretty pjs just in case! 

Sleep tight! xoxo

TBD, blazers, and my new jewelry box...

Hi! Lauren Conrad is one of my absolute favorite fashion ladies in Hollywood. From her style, to her blogs, and her clothing line for Kohls; she is very accessible. If you haven't been to thebeautydepartment.com then you're missing out! Even if you're not a huge* fan of Lauren, Amy Nadine and Kristin Ess are contributors who fill the pages with their expert knowledge and tutorials too! It's such a great place to go and find out new trends in fashion, beauty, and hair. So make some time to check it out!

I just went through my closet and realized I have 5 blazers with a sixth one on the way! I think I have an obsession! I have white, gray, 3 black, and a pink tinted one making it's way to me right now! At first I thought of blazers as a fall/winter staple but as Kate Moss showed us this spring/summer they are relevant all year round!

I've decided that I am going to wear my white blazer with denim shorts for errands and my gray and black blazer for a nights out! So excited! 

Last but certainly not least is the fact that I received my jewelry box!!! I am so excited! It's magical! So for those of you who are looking for a bigger jewelry box go for this one! It's great because it serves two functions due to the full length mirror! Just an FYI though, if you have chunky jewelry on the shelf underneath the necklaces, it won't close so move them down a shelf or two and save that space for some daintier pieces! 

Sorry if the pic is blurry, I took it with my iPhone! 

Sleeping Beauty...

Something about sleeping masks feels very ladylike and old fashion. Every time I see some at a store I always want to buy them but it isn't until recently that I started actually using one. I've read articles lately about how any amount of light in your bedroom at night can disrupt the REM sleep, Rapid Eye Movement sleep, that is vital for energy and the elimination of those horrid under eye circles! I usually fall asleep to my TV and my room faces east so the light pours into my room earlier than usual. I have found that since using them I have felt more refreshed when I wake up in the morning because I have gotten a good amount of REM sleep. Plus I feel like a classy lady waking up with my sleeping mask on! 

Have you ever used a gel eye mask? I bought one from Crabtree and Evelyn about a year ago because I was being naughty and going out a lot so I'd wake up with puffy eyes and a headache. You can use it hot or cold depending on the symptom you're attempting to treat. It was only $6 and I now use it whenever I have a sinus headache or a regular headache. Mine usually stays in the refrigerator but to use it warm you can heat it up either by soaking it in warm water or putting it in the microwave for no more than 30 seconds.

Cold treats symptoms of: Tension headache, tired puffy eyes, eye strain, sinus headache, fever headache, swelling from injury, muscle strain, excessive sun exposure. 

Hot treats symptoms of: Tired puffy eyes, eye strain, sinus pain, head cold, nasal congestion, allergy discomfort, muscle strain. 

I have the green one! 

And to all a good night! xoxo

5 things that keep me lookin' pretty...

Good morning!! Today I wanted to share 5 of the things I use everyday religiously to keep my skin/lips feeling smooth and looking fresh! I like to try different products and see how my skin reacts to them but these 5 are the ones I keep coming back to!

First is Oil of Olay Original Beauty Fluid. My mom has been using this since she was young and I have been using it since I've been washing my face! I love this moisturizer because it's the perfect combination of moisturizing without being too greasy. Every other face lotion I've tried causes me to break out because my skin is so normal!

Plus it's called "beauty fluid" which sounds way better than moisturizer. 

The second product is a step in facial cleansing that I feel like most women have over looked recently but I can't put on my beauty fluid without using my Oil of Olay Toner! I don't know how I began using toner because my mom skips this step herself but I never skip toning my skin!

I recently switched cleansers from Dove Facial Wipes to Neutrogena Naturals Facial Cleanser! My mom told me about some chemical in most face soap that is actually really bad for you and I got scared so we both switched to this natural cleanser. I've been using it for a few months now and I really like it, usually Neutrogena products are too harsh for my skin type but this one is gentle enough to use everyday! I even got the Pore Scrub from the line because I like to exfoliate once a week, but it didn't make the cut since I use it once a week! 

I use two products on my lips everyday to keep them smooth and soft all year long. The first is Burts Bees lip balm! When everyone else was using Carmex I started using Burts Bees, mostly because it has a minty scent to it so if I feel insecure about my breath smelling funky I put on the lip balm to mask it ;)  In addition to that I always feel like when I put it on I can feel it tingle and working to rehydrate my lips! It's my favorite lip balm ever! 

Last but certainly not least is Smith's Rosebud Salve!! I like this product for a few different reasons but mostly it hydrates my lips and gives them a glossy/wet look. I like putting it over lipstick on days where I want the color but want my look to be glossy! Also it works to reduce blemishes like pimples on your face and you can use it on your cuticles to rehydrate them. It's a-mazing stuff! 

I also wanted to tell you guys that I broke down and ordered Chanel Peridot and I absolutely love it! I've worn it on my fingers for the last couple of days and have gotten so many compliments on the color...it's definitely an attention getter! And it came in a cute little suede dust bag...so precious and worth every penny! Love! 

xoxo

Horsepower

You know those friends you have whose hair always looks adorable like they just stepped out of the salon but you know they did it themselves and it drives you nuts? I am not one of those girls. My hair is either straight, curled with a youcurl, or in a ponytail. Recently I attended a wedding and wore my hair in a ponytail and realized that it's actually a lot more polished than I thought. I have realized the power of the pony! The one thing I will say keeps the updo looking polished and not lazy is buying the clear or black rubber band that allows you to easily wrap a 1 inch strand of hair around the base of the ponytail.

For the Gucci 2011 fall/winter show models came onto the runway with low, polished ponies that had an unexpected twist, FEATHERS!!! I love feathers and I love this look because it can be appropriate for a lot of different events.

Celebs aren't lost on the idea of ponies as the updo for events...

Blake Lively has amazing hair and she knows it! Her hair is usually very textured with waves or a curl to it but we all know if she wore her hair smooth it would look major too. Unfair!

Lauren has lust worthy hair too, her low pony goes well with her strapless dress. 

Jennifer Aniston's pony is a more polished approach to Blake's hair. This version is good for work or a work event. 

Next time you're in a pinch to get ready for an event try a ponytail. It's a timeless look that is simple and a time-saver!

xoxo

Was that you going through my laundry?

So I had a request to do a "who got it right?" type post so after some research I found a few celebs working the same if not similar looks and who got it right.

First duel is between my fav Ms. Britney Spears and Kim Kardashian wearing the same Dolce and Gabana dress. Both were for photo shoots.

Britney rocks the heavily printed dress w/minimal accessories and black patent pumps and an added sleeve.

Kim wears the dress straight from the runway, literally accessories and color combination.

Both women look beautiful but Kim's heavy accessories are just too much for this dress that could easily stand alone and still be a knock out. Britney shines in the dress but isn't over powered by it, and the extra sleeves make it appear more editorial. The thing about runway looks is that they're meant to be excessive and artsy but very rarely does the whole thing translate to everyday life or even a photo shoot.  Plus the way the dresses are similarly shot is bad news for Kimmy because Britney's Harper's Bazaar issue came out in June. *Winner= Britney Spears

Next is Ashley Olsen and Rihanna both rocking the menswear trend

Ashley's easy silhouette, girly shoes, and harem-ish pants look like she's not trying too hard. The polished low pony and sleek clutch pull the look together.

Rihanna wears a more drastic version of the trend with the high shoulders, puff sleeves on top, and a bow tie. 

Granted Rihanna wore this to the Met Ball in 2010 where all the fashion is very dramatic and for the event a simpler look wouldn't have sufficed, it's just too costume-y. It's too much with the shoulders and the sleeves, and that bow tie. If she would've picked one dramatic detail and stuck with it, it would've done better. Ashley Olsen just looks so well put together and polished. Her look is simple and refined but not boring. *Winner=Ashley Olsen. 

Amber Rose (Kanye's ex girlfriend) and Kim Kardashian both wearing the exact same tribal print dress.

Amber Rose pairs the look with tribal inspired accessories, like her spear-head earrings and beaded bracelet. 

Kim plays off the color of the dress with her shoes and stacked bracelets.

Amber's bright lips and too tight fit make it appear she is trying too hard. The thing about tribal prints is that they have a bohemian vibe so it should come off as easy, Amber's doesn't feel that way. Kim's simple high pony, natural make-up, and effortless shoes feel sexy but not complicated. While Amber deserves an award for putting up with Kanye West, Kim takes the cake this time. *Winner= Kim Kardashian. 

Lindsay Lohan wears the same moccasins as Kate Moss

Going for a quick coffee run, Lindsay works her lace ups with a light blue dress

Kate, also running errands wears hers with jean shorts and a loose brown sweater.

Both girls obviously weren't trying too hard when figuring out what to wear to make a few quick stops but Lindsay's dress looks like something she wore during her stay at Cedars Sinai for exhaustion. Something about the fabric and color of the dress feel creepy to me and don't go at all with the vibe of the mocs. Kate gets it right with the cut off denim jeans and loose fitting sweater, She definitely pulls off the boho-chic look. *Winner=Kate Moss. 

OMG!!

Hi again! About a week ago I was conversing with a girl at work about nail polish because I am obsessed with it. I was mentioning that I hate that no matter how long I wait to let my nails dry I always end up smudging them somehow and she informed me of the best top coat ever....Seche Vite!  I bought some today when I was playing at Ulta and tried it out with the new Essie color I bought, well I bought 3 :) but used Marshmallow today! It is genius! I am in love with it! Seche Vite dryed so fast and I have zero smudges, even now as I type this post I am confident I will not find a single knick when I am done! HALLELUJAH!

I am pretty sure I do a polish change 2-3 times a week so this will save me oodles of time!!! wa hoo! 

xoxo

Honey, have you seen my shoes?

Good morning and happy Monday! I know most people hate when Monday rolls around but I welcome it because that means the crazy weekend at work is over and the store goes back to normal (somewhat).

Menswear. A huge trend in Hollywood and the fashion industry but scary for a lot of us normal girls. Basically you want to end up looking like you stole you're entire outfit from your boyfriend/husband (hence the title ;) ) Blazers have been the easy piece to work into your everyday life but oxfords can be a little bit scarier. The flat style is the more trendy way to go but oxfords with heels may be the less frightening choice, especially with a thicker heel they're easier to wear everyday. I love oxfords with a cable knit Grandpa sweater and skinnies or a men's button down shirt for running errands or a lunch date. For work you can pair a heeled oxford with your suit for a more polished look.

Sienna Miller is a huge fan of the trend, rocking oxfords for either running errands or to an event. Perfection. Taylor swift makes her oxfords more girly which is totally her style. I love when someone can take a trend and make it their own. Selma Blair shows how to pull off oxfords with a shirt dress, like she stole her whole look from her boyfriends closet! 

So here  and some options I found the first few are from zappos.com which I love because it's so easy to buy and return w/o having to pay for shipping. I feel like sometimes buying shoes online is a huge risk because a lot of brands size differently and who wants to pay to return something?! Not me! 

These are also available in black! I adore these (my favs)

Available in brown, black, blue/white striped, floral print, and gray

The next pair is from aldoshoes.com, what I love about these is they're patent leather so it draws a little more attention with the shine but also patent leather holds up a little better especially through the snow in the winter.

Available in gray, dark brown, cognac and a synthetic black (matte leather)

This pair is from jcpenny.com, they have a really good shoe selection lately and even label the shoes that are featured in People Stylewatch addition. 

I think these also came in brown but I forgot to write down color choices for this one. Sorry it was late and I worked all day :( my bad! 

I love the menswear trend, it's fun and when done right can be a polished look that when you look back 20 years from now you won't be embarrassed you wore, plus without this trend most of us girls wouldn't be wearing blazers! 

Have a good week and happy shopping xoxo

P.S. Missoni is coming to Target!! Rejoyce! September 13 it hits store so be on the look out for zigzags and bright colors in the GO! designer section plus I think they will be doing accessories like cosmetic pouches and brushes plus hair accessories! I cannot wait! 

Not Your Average Two Way Mirror...

So here I am after work minding my own business looking through the new Instyle Makeover with Rachel Bilson on the cover (who I am obsessed with since her days on the O.C.) and what to my wandering eyes do appear but a full length mirror that opens up to hold your jewelry!!!!!!!!! I almost fell out of bed but my neck is bothering me so it hurt too much. I am constantly frustrated with my closet and jewelry box because I can't ever see anything and forget what I have. Well this amazing mirror holds 350 pieces of jewelry whilst multitasking as a mirror so you can see if the piece you chose looks good with your outfit! I am so pumped. Of course the white version is on a wait-list but whatever so worth the wait. Now I just have to figure out where to put it.

Definitely pick up the Instyle Makeover issue to see what other clutter ideas they have for the home, it's pretty amazing.

(Gold and Silver Safekeeper mirrored cabinet, Clever & Unique Creations by Lori Greiner $149)

Dear Karen at the MAC counter...

So I've been using drug store make-up for most of my life which I am sure a lot of us do but after seeing Elle and Blair Fowler's (from elleandblair.com) make-up collection worth coveting I decided to head to the MAC counter and see what sort of trouble I could get into. Oh, and I sure did get into trouble. The lady at the counter, Karen, was so funny I would've bought anything she put on my face.

I initially went in for loose powder because I don't like using a ton of foundation on my face just a little under my eyes and then loose powder for light coverage on the rest of my skin. I am fortunate enough to have normal/clear skin so I don't ever want to put too much on it and chance a breakout. After trying a two different loose powder, one of them was the mineralizing powder (I don't remember the exact name, oops) and their Loose Sheer powder I ended up with the latter in NC30. I am also super lucky that in the summer I will be burnt for a day then it turns more of a brown tan but in the summer I get like translucently pale so I need something that will give me color without having to be blended down to my belly button, you know what I mean. NC30 gave the perfect amount of color without being too dark for me. Phew, got that out of the way.

Next we looked at blush and she showed me three colors but I ended up choosing MAC Mineralize Blush in Gentle it's a different color then I've normally tried but it has such a pretty shimmer to it without being too shimmery for everyday. Plus I think it would blend really nice with my Benefit Thrrrob blush. In order to apply both my loose powder and mineralize blush I got the 109 brush, it's a smaller brush but it's most dense so it'll work for both applications.

The cherry on top of my MAC experience was the Opulash mascara I got. It has an amazing brush, it's very thick and really long so it gets every lash. What I like most about it is that it's not extremely cakey or after wearing all day it didn't melt down my face which, is a hugggggeeeeee pet peeve of mine. So I'd say it was a successful day for me and Karen :)

Oui, Chanel s'il vous plait!

My first big designer purchase was a pair of Chanel sunglasses which I still absolutely adore and wear more than any other pair of sunglasses I own. With my love of nail polish it should be no secret that I lusted after Chanel's Black Satin nail varnish but with the way I change my polish color and the reds and pinks only dress code at work I just couldn't justify the purchase. Sad news. Well this fall Chanel is at it again with some drool worthy colors and yet again I will spend some time debating on whether I should invest.

Graphite is a big color for Fall 2011 showing up in most accessories but now in beauty products too. The Peridot though is absolutely amazing and is the most tempting of the colors. I can't stop looking at it and wishing my plain purple/pink nail polish would magically change into Peridot! It's mesmerizing. :) Quartz is also very pretty but a little more subtle for those who aren't as outgoing with their varnish color. It looks like a more dressed up nude which, is another huge color for fall. This would be awesome on the tooters (toes, I don't know why I can't just say toes but tooters is way more fun). At $25 a piece it's definitely an investment for something that goes on the nails and is sure to chip working retail. Perplexing...I will be left pondering this purchase for a while. I hope I don't wander into Macy's make-up department any time soon with an extra $25 in my ocelot print wallet ;)