Wednesday, September 28, 2011

fall

Normally when I put together a collection on Polyvore, I pick the items I love without really looking at the price, and end up with ensembles costing thousands!  This time I put together a fall-inspired look with everything (except the shoes!) priced at less that $50 each.  Enjoy!Fall



Saturday, September 24, 2011

The Kardashian Kollection for Sears

The release of the Kardashian Kollection for Sears has been long-anticipated.  With their sexy curve-hugging dresses, pointed blazers, and animal print, this line is the epitome of the Kardashian sisters style.  

I decided to head over to Sears and check out the collection for myself, but I am sorry to say I was disappointed in most of the line.  The quality of the material was poor and cheap-looking, one of their tops features a flimsy excuse for a "leather" buckle on the shoulders which completely destroyed the look of the shirt.  The dresses weren't as lacking in quality, but many of the designs were, frankly, tacky-looking in person.  So it didn't come as a surprise to me when, shortly after being released, the entire line was marked-down 30%.  

There were, however, a few items I liked and would wear.  Here are my picks:

The first is the Open-Back Ottoman Dress.  I like that it is long-sleeved and simple in the front, but there are two keyhole openings in the back.  It also has pretty zipper details on the sleeves.  Overall it comes off as very chic.

The next thing is the Jersey Wrap Jumpsuit.  It is simple, stylish, and comfortable.  Kind of reminds me of what Khloe Kardashian wears a lot.  I would probably pair it with a wide patent belt intead of the drawstring, and colorful clutch.  


My last pick is their Metal Safety Pin Clutch.  Not sure why it is called that, for there is not a single safety pin on it.  Nevertheless, it is still a versitle bag with interesting detail.  
So there you have it, my opinions on the Kardashian Kollection.  What are your thoughts?  Love it?  Hate it?  Kindof in between like me?  Let me know! 

images courtesy of sears.com

Thursday, September 22, 2011

an award, and my giveaway winner!

I am thrilled to have been awarded the 'Tell Me About Yourself Award'  by Hannah from Hannah's Fashion Blog!  She has a great blog full of fashion and style.  Be sure to stop by! 


Here are the rules:
-Thank and link back to the person who awarded you
-Write 7 random facts about yourself
-Pass the award on to 5 other bloggers

7 Random Facts About Me:

I am a dance teacher
I love Indian food
I have a black cat named Muffin
I am a tea enthusiast 
I can say the alphabet backwards
I am a vegetarian
My favorite movie ever is Disney's Beauty and the Beast

I will pass this award on to:




In other news, my giveaway ended this weekend, and I would like to congratulate the winner, Alynne Leigh of Pink Lemonade!  Also, I won a giveaway myself this week, a dress from Frugal Flirty N Fab.  Thanks for the great giveaway! 


I promise there will be an outfit post this week, now I am back into the fall swing! 


Sunday, September 11, 2011

NYFW Runway Rundown: waist-defining silhouettes

Fashion week is barely underway, but if you're like me, you can't get enough!  Of the trends we are seeing so far, I am most loving the waist-defining silhouettes.  This 40's-inspired design flatters all body types, giving the illusion of curves if you don't have any, and accentuating the curves you already have while creating an hour-glass figure.  My favorites are from Jason Wu and Cynthia Rowley - delicious modern twists on Old Hollywood.  

Jason Wu

Jason Wu

Graeme Armour

The Row

Cynthia Rowley

Prabal Gurung

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

it's a giveaway!

I am so thrilled with how far my little fashion blog has come, and all the support and encouraging comments I get from my readers.  I thought to myself, I should reward all my lovely followers with a giveaway!  So here it is, three pretty things to giveaway!    

First, a box of mark. clean up time bath soap.  Oh. My. Goodness.  These little soaps smell incredibly fresh and delicious, a sort of lemony-green (is that a scent?) not to mention the adorable packaging.
  
Next, a pair of fingerless gloves hand-crocheted by me!  I plucked them from my etsy shop just for you luckies.  

And last, a little necklace also made just for you, by me.  I've been fooling around with some designs for etsy, and came up with this one especially for my readers!  




Alright, now down to business.  Here's how to enter:

1.  Follow me with Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin'.  
2.  Check out my etsy shop, and leave a comment with your favorite item! (it's a small little shop, we're slowly growing!)

Extra Entries:
3.  Follow me on Twitter, and leave a comment saying you did so.
4.  Like me on Facebook, and leave a comment telling me you did.  

The giveaway ends September 17 

Goodluck! 


Monday, September 5, 2011

mirror shine nails

Normally I'm all over the bright and unusual nail colors, but I had a few job interviews this week, and opted for something more understated than usual.  I am wearing Avon's Mirror Shine Nail Enamel in "Peach Ice".  I love 
this polish because it's in a natural color, but shiny!  

I hope everyone's weekend went splendidly!  Now back to work...




5 beauty tips



It's no secret that even though fashion is my first love, I am slightly obsessed with buying and trying new beauty products.  One day, just for kicks my boyfriend counted how many products I use on a daily basis.  Grand total: 19 (mind you, he counted the contents of my makeup bag as one product).  Slightly high-maintenance?  Possibly.  That being said, I've tried a lot of beauty techniques and decided to make up a list of 5 tricks that never fail.  Enjoy!
1. Wash your makeup brushes.  I never realized how important this is until I started doing it.  Think about it: you smear these brushes on your face everyday, bacteria gets caught and is reapplied to your face the next day, even after you wash it.  GROSS.  I have generally clear skin, but was still breaking out.  I started washing my brushes, and my skin cleared up almost immediately! 
How To:  run your brushes under water, take a bit of shampoo in your hand, rub the brush in, rinse, lay out to dry. 


2. Curl Your eyelashes.  I love how big my eyes look after using an eyelash curler.  Many people skip this step because they don't like using an eyelash curler.  Trust me, it's worth it!


3.  Drink Water.  Something so basic we forget to do it, drinking lots of water is not only good for you, it clears up your complexion.  Beauty starts on the inside people! 


4. Don't load your hair with products.  Applying tons of products to your hair makes it sticky - not pretty.  I read an article about how using the bare minimum (a spritz of volumizer and maybe some light-hold hairspray) is the secret to Pantene-shampoo-commercial-perfect hair.  I tried it, and was pleasantly surprised by that piece of advice.  My hair was lighter, shinier, and just prettier in general.  


5. Place your blush on your cheekbone, not below it.  Try placing your blush slightly higher than you normally would, it gives your entire face more lift and definition.  


image courtesy of google.com

Saturday, September 3, 2011

zucchini pancakes



Me and my boyfriend recently got new jobs that are more career oriented towards what we want to do.  So to celebrate, went out for some dinner last night. (don't get me wrong - we don't work together, it was just a coincidence we got new jobs at the same time).  We're always trying new foods together, so we decided to go to this new Mediterranian place that just opened a few months ago.  We had zucchini and feta cheese pancakes as an appetizer, and he got some sort of chicken kebab as an entree.  Everything was so so delicious, although I was admiring the decor most of the time: 

{Photos courtesy of levantgrille.com}
{I sat all the way at the end of this booth next to the window} 
Isn't it pretty?  The only downside is it is seriously a battlefield to find street parking.  We did see one fellow who thought he was being slick do U turn in the middle of the intersection, only to be pulled over by a cop and have his car impounded. Real clever mister.

We took some pictures of what I wore, but for some reason every single one looks incredibly awkward!  I'll put them up anyway, but you have been warned.  



Top - Marshalls
Bag - Thrifted
Shoes - Christian Louboutin

I warned you.  

So what does everyone have planned for the last (unofficial) weekend of summer?  I'm not doing anything special, I'll be spending it working on dance class lesson plans!  Have a great long weekend! 


Thursday, September 1, 2011

this used to be a pirate outfit







Today I walked into my closet wanting to wear a maxi skirt and ended up with this.  Nothing at all what I had in mind, but it works!  I love pairing neutrals with unexpected pops of color, as done here with the purple shorts and turquoise earrings.  I've had these shorts for a while and could never seem to find a way I really liked wearing them.  But I think I found it here!  Also I got this tunic/shirt two years ago at Goodwill for a pirate costume...I guess I've discovered how to recycle what I wore for Halloween.  great.  I hope everyone's having a lovely week, I am quite excited today because I was offered a job I was hoping for!  

So tell me...do you have any odd clothing pieces (like Halloween costumes) you've made into something actually wearable?  Send me links! 


Blazer - F21
Shorts - JCPenney
Bag - Vintage
Earrings - F21
Tunic - recycled Halloween costume