Feeling Crummy? Buy Something Plummy!

This morning one of my close friends asked me, “What’s a big makeup trend for fall?”  Of course, this led me to thinking and the only new makeup trend making a big statement so far is deep plum lips.

Lipstick has made a big comeback these past couple years from bright pinks, to reds, to corals, to orange this past summer but this fall’s trend is surely one for the brave (or gothic.)

If you don’t feel bold enough to rock this trend, there are tons of other great ways to wear this royal color.

Here are some of my favorites:

I love Revlon lipstick for a couple reasons – it’s cheap and easily accessible.  When keeping up with the ever changing trends in lipstick colors this is the way to go.

(Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick in Satin Plum available @ Your Local Drugstore, $7.99)

This Single dress from #BLUEFLY is great for work or after work cocktails.  Plus, it’s classic cut ensures it will be around longer than just one season.

(Single Plum Stretch Knit Victoria Notch Neck Dress available @ Bluefly.com, $131.40)

Seriously, these boots are only $55!! Boots are still a HUGE trend.  This color makes them a statement piece for sure.

(Michael Antonio Women's Mckenna Ankle Boot available @ Amazon.com, $55.00)

 

This bag is significantly more than all the other items but is a classic durable bag made for life-long use.  This bag tops off any outfit whether it’s jeans and riding boots or a tailored suit.

(Michael Kors Gia Satchel available @ NeimanMarcus.com, $895.00)

What do you think?  Would you dare wear deep purple lipstick?  Or would you rather try to wear it another way?

XXoo

*Disclaimer: I am well aware of how the term "plum" is used in England.  To my Brit friends - is this still being used? Was having the worst time trying to think of a catchy title today!

FBFF: Falling In Love

So last week’s Fashion Beauty Friend Friday topic was fall trends. Now I know I’m showing up a little late to the party with this post but sometimes late can be fashionable – and that’s exactly what this post is all about!


So this fall’s trends are kind of interesting. (Just another reason fashion is amazing!) Somehow, fashion took a sharp quick turn and went in the complete opposite direction it had been going. Gone are the loose fitting bohemian inspired pieces and bright colors. In their place sit structured garments and muted tones.


Here are some of my favorite fall trend must-haves.

 

Viktor Rolf white blouse, $573.00
Marc by Marc Jacobs merino sweater, $250.00
Thakoon Addition oversized shirt, $460.00
Oasis sleeveless blouse, £40.00
Valentino Roma pleated skirt, $225.00
Rupert Sanderson platform booties, $1,099.00
Brass earrings, £12.00


I don’t know about you but I am really excited for some of these things!


XXoo

FBFF: You May Say I'm A Dreamer

I'm a dreamer.  I always have been.  I don't remember it starting at any specific time but I do know I've always had my head in the clouds with my feet dragging on the ground.  I believe that those who do not dream, do not live and what's the point of it all if you have nothing to aspire to so obviously when I saw this week's Fashion Beauty Friend Friday questions, I got a little excited. 

1. Fess up - if you could do anything professionally what would it be? Only my best friends and family know this but I'll share with you. (Secrets out now!) If I could be anything in the entire world, I'd be a model.  I'm talking high-fashion, runway walking, editorial photo taking model.
 2. What draws you to this? A few things draw my to this - I love to travel and meet new people and I'd get to do that all the time.  I love being photographed.  I love the way editorials dress models as a form of art and quite frankly I'd love the paycheck (and the clothes and shoes.)


3. When did you first start dreaming about this ideal? A long long time ago.  I started talking about it in high school though.

4. What's holding you back from going all in?  Well mainly I'm only 5'7" so while I have been asked to model for a few agencies, it's only to be told I'd be great for catalog and soaps. (Disclaimer - this would still be awesome but at the time I was balancing college and work and did not think I could graduate and be out of town all the time.)

5. Sometimes the first step is the hardest... what's one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream?  So, now that you know I've already pretty much pursed that dream (and I'm definitely done growing so I'm at peace with it) I will let you know that I believe you can have many dreams (which I do) and they can always change and grow as you do.  I currently have a few (and you can check out my Tumbler page for postings I call "Bucket.List" for some other smaller ones.)Some of my bigger ones have been buying a house (done) buying a BMW (done) and one I am currently working on is being one of the best and most sought after media planner/buyer in the country. 

So dear reader, I leave you with this.  Don't ever let anyone tell you no (not even yourself.)  It doesn't matter where you came from or where you are now.  If you can dream it, you can do it.

XXoo

Taupe Decisions

For those of you who know me (or read my blog) you’ll know that I’m kinda crazy with my shoes.  A few times of year I begin to itch for a new “investment” shoe – something expensive and something classic.  Something that my feet really appreciate.  Usually these shoes end up being black (like the majority of my wardrobe.)

This time around I’m looking to get an investment shoe in a different color, perhaps a classic nude.  I have been faced with many occasions where I think to myself, “Damnit if only I had a nude shoe to go with this!” so I think it’s about time I make the purchase.

However, summer is almost ending and I’m really not sure how much I’m going to wear a nude shoe over the winter.  I’m a classic black wearer (can’t get enough) and am craving a pair of coffee colored heels (YSL or some Atwoods please) as well as some pony hair leopard print ones and some bright blue ones.

So what’s a girl to do?  Buy one amazing expensive pair of nude heels that I’m sure will come in handy and look great for many occasions or buy cheaper trendier shoes that I might love for a night or two?

Blue Suedes (Suede Blues)

Okay so I know I’ve been talking about getting some blue suede shoes for a while now and have even posted links to some super pricey ones but I was walking through the mall the other day and gleaming at me from the window display of Payless, yes I said Payless, were these ADORABLE, super high, blue suede heels and with a price of under $30.00 I don’t think I can resist!!

(Brash Komet Platform Pump available @ Payless.com or Payless, $29.99)

Coffee Cravings

So I found these Brian Atwood’s at Sak’s and they are SO cheap (for Brian Atwood’s) I don’t know if I can resist buying these either (see why I am having issues people?!) They are the PERFECT color of brown for fall and they are selling quick!  Decisions, decisions.

(Brian Atwood Power Suede Platform Pumps available @ Saksfifthavenue.com, $229.99)

Leopard Lust

There are so many cute leopard print heels out there; it is hard to just choose one.  You can go with these or these or these! Which now that I’ve come across, don’t know if I can resist either…

(Tory Burch Jude Leopard-print Calf Hair Pumps available @ NET-A-PORTER.COM, $325.00)

Nagging Nude

And then something inside me say just buy nude heels, you’ll be glad you did later. (Besides, this is a BEAUTIFUL shoe.)

(Brian Atwood Maniac Leather Pumps available @ Intermixonline.com, $575.00)

Or should I just start playing scratch offs and plan on buying them all?

XXoo

  

What to Where

Every location has its own sense of style (or lack there of.) As fashion, beauty, and style bloggers this is something we are all too aware of.  Today's Fashion Beauty Friend Friday questions focuses on whether or not style is always location dependent.

1. What part of the world do you blog from? East Coast, United States.  I am based in Baltimore but spend a lot of time working in D.C. and N.Y. as well.

2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live what would you say? Well I'd say Baltimore has some style.  It's not N.Y. and D.C. style is completely different but Baltimore style is a mix of artsy or preppy or what I will call teen trendy.  No one is really doing anything super ground breaking with their ensembles.  My favorite area to check out people's style is Hampden where I work.  People here are sometimes labeled hipsters but really they do their own thing.  It works.

3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the mold? I don't really know if there is a way to answer this question modestly...but I'm just gonna say it and go with I think I break the mold.  I feel like a lot of people around dress a certain way and I don't want to look like them...or anyone else for that matter.

4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world did your clothing choices evolve? I wouldn't say that traveling has made my clothing choices evolve more so as I've grown my clothing choices have too.

5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what would you be? I've been told my style is very Parisian - classic simple garments, minimal makeup and statement jewelry.

Do you feel pressure to change your style to blend wherever you travel or live?

XXoo

5..4..3..2..1..Happy New York Fashion Week! (Almost)

With the kick of New York Fashion week just over a month away (yippie!) and tentative schedules released, (see story here http://www.fashionweekdaily.com/the-fix/article/nyfw-ss-2012-schedule-scoop-part-1-lincoln-center-lineup) I thought it would be a good idea to post some essentials for surviving (conquering) whatever events you attend.

My favorite NYFW essentials:

A Structured Bag

Pick a black one.  It’ll go with everything.

(Dolce & Gabbana Structured Python Shoulder Bag available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $3,795.)

This Season’s IT heels

This color will be HUGE this fall.  Save your allowance kids, this shoe is worth it.

(Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Leather Pumps available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $795.00)

A Great Blazer

A good blazer goes with everything – metallic dresses, tapered pants, mini skirts, shorts, heels, flats, you name it!

(Theory Black Stretch Wool Lyzbeth Two Button Blazer available @ Bluefly.com, $345.00)

Something Vintage and Fabulous

One word. Sequins.

(Oleg Cassini Sequined Cocktail Dress available @ VintageCouture.com, $900.00)

(a back up battery for your

Blackberry or iPhone)

Remember – honor the designer and dress according to the essence of their style but don’t forget yours.  If you can’t afford brand new pieces go vintage.  It’s an awesome way to pay homage and not bankrupt you in the process.

Much Love,

XXoo

FBFF: Labeling

Whether we want to or not, it's easy to get caught up in labels.  Whether it's the label on the clothes you are wearing (or not wearing) or the label society sticks on a group of people, everyone has been concerned with labeling at some point in their lives (whether you want to admit it or not.)

1. As a someone who writes/blogs about fashion, have you placed yourself into some sort of blogging category? I didn't know there were categories?

2. What keeps you from or encourages you to label yourself as a
certain kind of blogger? Hmmm well, I don't think I label myself as a certain "type" of blogger really.

3. When picking blogs to read and follow are you drawn to ones that indicate a certain group or way of thinking/being? Totally. I mean who wouldn't?  Blog reading should be fun and for me fun entails enjoying what I am reading and I enjoy reading blogs that have similar style and writing to my own.  A blog is like a friend.  Most of my friends have something in common with myself and the blogs I enjoy the most do as well.

4. Do you think there are benefits in labeling yourself or others? I think labeling is okay if you do it in a positive way and don't label other's in a negative way.  For example, I'd like to label myself as a hard worker, good wife, and someone with a good sense of fashion.  However, it's not up to me to label other people.  That's something you should do for yourself.  If you want.

5. Agree or Disagree - We're all just people; we don't need all the labels. Well I agree.  People shouldn't be labeled but people do label people and even if it is subconsciously.  Society makes us this way - we see it in magazines "What's Hot, What's Not." We see it as we grow up - clubs and groups have names as this separates people from each other by giving them a label.  That's just how it is.

What about you?  Do you find yourself caring about labels? Or do you embrace everyone's differences?

Have a great weekend everyone!

XXoo

P.S.  If you want to find out more about me check out my Tumblr page.