It's Friday Night and I Just Got Paid

- Erin Jane Shop - Etsy

Ok, not really. Today is Sunday and I got paid on Saturday for my freelance endeavors. Also, yesterday not today was the best day ever.

Still, it was an amazing day to be in NYC yesterday. It was the perfect day just to stroll about and drink outside. Normally, drinking for 12 hours straight would leave me with my head in a toilet that night and the better part of the next day.

The fates must have been on my side last night, because I'm not hungover at all. This in and of itself is leading me to believe I'm having a death dream or Inception moment. Oh well, either way I'm not complaining.


The best part about yesterday (besides the weather/getting paid) was the fact that I picked up my necklace from Lori Mclean. (It is the one on the right.) They kindly removed all the glitter from the inside that had become a gooey mess. Yes, I am that idiot that forgets to take her jewelry off before I get into the shower.

Incidents like that are why I get my jewelry maintenance very often. The other times they make their way to the jeweler as they are in dire need of a tune up. I wear estate/antique jewelery a lot and as such they need some TLC every now and again.

Sometimes, it is just a cleaning and other times it is for repair. This level of care is vital for prolonging the life of your treasures and it has to be taken seriously. I mean, if you are like me, god knows you shelled out enough for it!

Believe it or not the best guide to cleaning/maintaining your jewelry is on the Kays Jewelers website. They have some really great tips and some that will be sure to surprise you.

1. "...[P]lacing your diamond in a glass of plain vodka has also been known to effectively restore its sparkle."


2. "...[P]latinum is a strong metal but is susceptible to scratches."


3. "Makeup, hair spray, perfume and other chemicals are very harmful to cultured pearls."


4. "Also, unlike other color stones, opal is not internally solid but rather gelatinous....It is recommended to clean opals with baby or olive oil to prevent them from drying out."


5. "Emeralds are treated with oils and waxes to improve clarity."

Now, I'm off to complete a stellar weekend by watching The Expendables. After all, being an 80s baby myself I'm obligated to go.

Friend Friday: Wardrobe Mix + Match

- Mouth of the Wash

Katy Rose of ModlyChic has sent around another round of questions for the Friend Friday project. This week: Wardrobe Mix + Match!

• What's your most versatile piece of clothing? How do you wear it?

If I were to be honest - my leggings. I wear them with skirts, dresses, and tunics. Seriously those things see more action than any piece in my wardrobe.

The one piece that I wear a lot is a dress I picked up in Japan awhile ago. I wear it as a layering piece or on its own. (It is similar to this dress from Romeo + Juliet, except it is black with thin straps.) When I wear it as a layering piece I sometimes pin up the sides a bit so I can channel a bit of Belle into my wardrobe.

• What one piece should every woman own?

- Kenna - T Blazer (Sizes 0 - 16; $255.00)

I know that the summer heat is bearing down pretty strong right now. Still, I'd have to say my one piece every woman should own is a blazer. A tailored fit makes it applicable for everything from a casual night out with the girls to a night on the town.

• What Summer trends do you love because of their versatility?

- 1 (Size 0 - 12; $59.00) /2 (Size 0 - 10; $180.00) /3 (Size 0 -12; $24.99)

I love the fact that rompers are back in style! I also love that they have gone beyond casual and there are some gorgeous more dressier options. It is a fun spin on an old childhood standby.

• What's the most creative combination you've put together from your closet?

Well, depends how you define creative. When I was younger and in HS I liked to pair plaid shirts, button up shirts, colorful stockings, platform Mary Janes, fairy wings, and a tiara. What can I say? I was a very unusual child.

• If you had the guts you'd what items would you pair and then wear out in public?
  
  Right now it would be my bathing suit. Since, I quit my job I've been a bit of a homebody and put on some weight. So, it would take a lot of guts and inner fortitude to get me outside in it these days.

Any tricks to maximize your wardrobe? Leave it in the comments.

What Not to Wear: The Curious Case of the Romper & Me

Part of being fashionable is knowing what does and does not work for your body. If you are flat chested wearing a dress designed for the likes of Christina Hendricks is not going to flatter your figure. The reverse as well is unfortunately true. So, once again just because they make it in your size doesn't mean you should wear it!

In this particular case, it is the romper that should be avoided if you are on the shorter/heavier side. Before you start lobbing rotten fruit at me, take a moment to hear my argument. I love rompers and am estatic that they are in fashion again. Yet, I'm totally gutted by the fact that I know they will not look good on me unless I drop some weight.

- ASOS

Being petite and plus sized creates this certain type of sihoutte where (if you are like me) you look compacted. Boobs and booty jut out at both ends without the height to balance them out. Factor that in with thighs that are a bit rubenesque and the romper just looks over extended.


I know its hot ladies, and one of the reasons the romper is so popular is that it seems "cooler". There are other ways to accomplish this - by lets say pairing this ASOS CURVE Jersey Bandeau Printed Midi Dress (US Sizes 18 - 24; $47.14) with a pair of stretchy shorts and a black bra with thin straps. The same level of freedom as well as breeziness is accomplished. Also, you get to rock a similiar look but one that flatters your frame better!

It is harsh reality to have my dreams of romper romps dashed, but oh well. I can at least admire them from afar.

Sartorial Watermark: Signature Style

-my signature

Everyone has a signature piece. Something that they always wear all the time, a certain color they claim for their own, or even a certain style they purchase repeatedly. Over time it is something they become known for and it starts to become a bit odd if they don't wear it. I mean, remember the time Posh didn't wear flats?

- bauer-griffin

What's mine? Black leggings. I seriously wear them pretty much every day and refuse to wear them in any other color. My husband once made a joke that if I was given a chance to design a legging collection a la Lohan I'd make them "in every shade of black imaginable".

- fabcrush

Though, sometimes I do regret wearing them on days like today when they soak up the sun and crank the heat index up about another 10 degrees for me. I usually just grin and bear it. Now it looks like I no longer have to all thanks to Uniqlo's dry technology! It "combines breathable fibres with cross-woven nylon, removing sweat at the humidity level and keeping the wearer dry and comfortable underneath their clothes, whilst ensuring a smooth and silky feeling next to the skin". They offer wearers "superior drying action with anti-odour and anti-bacterial properties and ensuring dry confidence throughout the day".

- UNIQLO

I loved their heat tech leggings, so more than likely I will picking them up either today/tomorrow. I absolutely need a pair for the BBQ I am hosting this weekend. After all, nothing is more unfashionable than being a sweaty host!

Do you have a signature piece? Leave it in the comments!

What to Expect When You are Expecting: Fashion Edition

-Chic Tuition

A friend of mine recently sent me a barrage of texts of how unhappy she was about her current unfortunate situation. Apparently, the maternity offerings are just not quite up to snuff in her opinion or terribly expensive. She asked me to do a whole post about it, and who am I to turn down a pregnant lady's request?

I did a bit of poking around and unfortunately for the most part time has marched on but maternity fashion has not kept up. I mean take a look at this old pattern piece illustration? Can you tell me the difference between this and some of the items from Destination Maternity or A Pea in the Pod?


I mean yes they do have guest designers like Heidi Klum creating lines like Lavish by Heidi Klum and Loved by Heidi Klum. These, however, are just the best of a bad situation. I knew there had to be something better out there to satisfy those fashion diehards. There just had to be right? I mean after all there are all these pregnant celebrities out there looking fabulous like Amy Poehler, Alicia Keys, and Danielle Lloyds.


So, I began my search and came away almost defeated. 7 for All Mankind Maternity Jeans - expensive/poorly designed. Liz Lange Maternity - boring/stiff designs. It seemed that maternity was plagued with the same issues that bog down plus size offerings - lack of insight. Just because you are pregnant does not mean that you do not want to be fashion forward or overhaul your whole look as you are a mom to be.

Here are a couple of looks that I pulled together for my friend. She is a young school teacher, so what this what I tried to keep in my mind as I was playing virtual stylist. She is also quite thin when not pregnant (it is her second), so I wanted to create looks that were reminiscent what she wears then. Well, improved on a bit by myself of course! The other great thing about the items I pulled is that these items can mixed and matched. Thus, justifying the investment!


Work - Day: This dress from Moody Mamas is something I think anyone would want to wear - pregnant or not. Bright and vibrant this is the perfect dress to wear while working with children! She works in a school that does not allow bare shoulders, so pairing it with this cute sweater makes it work appropriate.

1. Moody Mamas - Sweetheart Dress (Sizes XS - XL; $190.00)

2. Spiegel - Whisper-Weight Cropped Cardigan (Sizes XS: XL; $17.00)

Work - Night: A teacher's work is mostly done during the day, but there is the odd occasion when they have to work the night shift. Namely - Parent/Teacher conferences. This outfit would be perfect for such occasions as it is extremely professional yet fashionable. I absolutely love the color of this top from TopShop and the fit of the pencil skirt by Isabella Oliver. Also, the cropped sweater featured with the day look can be paired with this outfit as well for a more casual look.

2. Spiegel - Whisper-Weight Cropped Cardigan (Sizes XS: XL; $17.00)

3. TopShop - Maternity Boutique Tuck Blouse (US Sizes 4 - 10; $50.00)

4. Isabella Oliver Maternity - Pencil Skirt (Sizes 0 - 14; $100.00)


Date Night - Casual: Being pregnant should prevent you from having a night out on the town! This more casual outfit on the left is still pretty fashion forward and is on trend via the lingerie inspired top. The Garbo Trousers from Isabella Oliver Maternity are also fantastic as they are fitted yet allow for your pregnancy tummy! This trench also from Isabella Oliver is the perfect way to complete the outfit, well that is if it is cold enough for it.

1. TopShop - Maternity Peplum Tunic (US Sizes 4 - 12; $70.00)

2. Isabella Oliver Maternity - Garbo Trousers (Sizes 0 - 14; $126.65)

3. Isabella Oliver Maternity - The Trapeze Trench (Sizes 8 - 14; $223.30)

Date Night - Sexy: Going out on the town with that special someone? This is the dress you should be wearing. It hugs your curves in all the right places and better yet comes in a color that pops! Pair this Isabella Oliver dress with the trench coat featured to avoid making women and men stop in their tracks!

3. Isabella Oliver Maternity - The Trapeze Trench (Sizes 8 - 14; $223.30)

4. Isabella Oliver Maternity - Ruched Tank Dress (Sizes 2 - 10; $148.75)


Casual: My friend spends a lot of time at home because 1) she lives down South in a large home and 2) she has 2.5 year old. (Seriously her house is 4 - 5x the size of my apartment at least!) So, I wanted to put together something she could be comfortable running around in as well as fashionable. I looked at tons of jeans for her, but these ones from Isabelle Oliver are the best! They are low cut and the band does not seem intrusive. The fit on the leg is also very fitted, which is very necessary. As I said, she lives in the South and it gets pretty hot down there. No better reason then to wear this adorable tank top! This sweater from Spiegel also does the trick to avoid being frozen when met with ice cold blast from AC indoors.

1. Spiegel - Whisper-Weight Cropped Cardigan (Sizes XS - XL; $17.00)

2. Isabella Oliver Maternity - IO Jeans (Sizes 0 -16; $89.50)

3. Ripe - Twist Tube Top (Size XL; $34.00)

As I was roaming the internet searching for these items for my friend, I came across something quite alarming. The selection of plus size clothes was horrendous. And I thought it was bad just searching for clothes in my size regularly! The maternity clothes in plus sizes should seriously go into the category of Things That Must Not Be Named a la Harry Potter. They are that horrific! Fret not, however, I was able to track down some decent plus size options. It just required a bit of creativity.


Casual: This amazing top from the ASOS mama·licious line of maternity clothes goes up to an XL, which according to their size chart is an American size 16. If you are larger than that this item will most likely still fit you as it has an extremely loose fit coupled with enormous armholes. Pair it with a pair of leggings as shown here, and you would not look out of place strolling around the West Village.

1. ASOS mama·licious - Embellished Woven Tunic (UK sizes S - XL; $59.18)

2. duo Maternity - duo 22" Legging (Sizes 2X - 3X; $12.99)


Convertible: This dress can be worn in a million different ways to accommodate your growing bump. The white/teal combination is truly inspired and will always look fresh! This item also goes upward to a size 3X and due to its dynamic nature can probably be worn on larger frames.

1. Hayley by Hayley Starr Reversible Knit Wrap Dress (Sizes M - 3X; $38.50)

The one thing that my friend stressed to me is that she hated spending money on things she was only going to wear for a limited time. Fact is I am sorry to say that being fashionable takes investment! That does not mean, however, that you have to break the bank to be a pregnant fashionista. There are in fact a couple of options to make this happen!

1. Consignment Shops: Check out the consignment shops in the affluent parts of time. More likely than not you will be able to scoop up some discarded designer maternity duds. Also, there are shops like Belly Bundles that sell their maternity consignment merchandise online.

2. Rent: Yes, believe it or not you can rent maternity clothes by the week. RentMaternityWear.com offers one-week maternity dress rental rates starting at just $35. They carry brands such as: Christian Siriano, Maternal America, and Olian Maternity.

3. Sell Them After You Are Done: Sort of like renting, this options requires you to ditch the clothes after you no longer need them. Ebay is literally teeming with mothers looking for maternity wear, so this may be your best bet to recoup the majority of the cost. Also, this is what will justify you spending more on those transient pieces! The higher the quality - the higher the chance of resale.

Do you have any places or suggestions for my friend? I am also always looking for new ideas for posts. Have any ideas on either - leave them in the comments!

What to Wear: Let's Get Physical

I recently quit my internship to hire gig. They wanted one thing and I wanted another. Simple as that. It was a bit nerve wracking, but nowhere near as much as being in the process of looking for a new job. So, I have decided to invest that energy into going to the gym. It was either that or fall into the daytime "stories" trap, and I figured at least this will get me caftan ready for the summer.

One of the things I hate most about the gym is the outfits. Well, that is not entirely true. The thing I hate most about the gym is being forced to move without the end goal either being pouring myself a glass of wine or grabbing a cookie. That is a whole another issue entirely, however, and not the point of this post.

It seems like people either wear pajamas or some threadbare outfit that belongs in an 80s/90s workout montage. Maybe they change after their workouts? I just cannot do this as I run errands after and I hate the showers at Crunch. So, when I suit up for the gym I try to put together something that is fashionably casual and appropriate for gym.

Here is an example of the look I try to go for:

1. Athlea - 2 Layer Support Tee (Sizes XXS - XL; $49.00): I love the way this drapes in the front and also how it adds a bit of modesty with the backing. My chest is rather large and sometimes workout tops show more than I mean too when I'm at the gym, so this is a blessing. Also, the color just pops!
   


2. NIKE - Dri-Fit Be Bold Ultra Low-Rise Women's Capris (Sizes SM - XXL; $50.00): Capri workout pants are heaven sent for those people like me that are short and have a bit of junk in the trunk. My waist/bottom ratio is so off that things just slide down or don't make it over my hump. These look like they would fit perfectly and more importantly stay put as well as not cause me to trip and die on the treadmill.
   


3. GAP - Pocket Cardigan (Sizes XS - XXL; $44.99): I kind of hate hoodies, because they never lay right on me. My chest is rather large and the fit of these just make my chest look like one large lump. That is why I normally wear sweaters over my workout gear. It serves the same purpose and makes my outfit seem less sporty. I love the color of this cardigan and the little pocket is adorable. What more is there to say - but buy it!
   


4. PUMA - Women's Speeder Sneaker (Sizes 5.5 - 11; $62.00): As you all know, I am not a huge sneaker fan. When forced to don them, I prefer my shoes to be lightweight and also light on the tech. This sneaker from PUMA is heaven sent in that regard, and it is even dare I say it cute?!
   


5. PUMA - Fitness Lux Workout Bag ($62.95): Another bane of my existence is the gym bag. They are usually for lack of a better word - hideous. So much so, that when I got to the gym I normally just sport my Longchamp Nylon tote similar to this but in all green. This bag, however, may get me to reconsider because it seems to be a bit more functional and surprisingly fashion forward.
   

Know any great brands or items for the gym? Leave them in the comments!

Nerdgasm: colette x DC Comics

Nothing like writer's block to totally prevent any progress being made in the blog-o-sphere. I think watching Bridezilla has something to do with it. Seriously, that show is where all creative thought goes to die. I mean have you seen some of the weddings that are cranked out?

Luckily, I came across the colette x DC comics collection created to mark DC's 75th anniversary. It was damn near impossible for it not to break me out of my writing funk as it combined 2 of my most favorite things in the world: fashion + scifi. As you can imagine, I had a total nerdgasm!

My favorites were the ones that were inspired by the imagery, but didn't dwell on it or try to shoe horn their re-imagining onto it. They just let it happen and it turned out amazing.

1. Repetto x DC Comics - Ballerina Shoes (US Sizes 6 - 9; $251.14): Taking their inspiration from The Flash these flats are essential for any fashionista trying to make a mad dash across town. These gold lightening accented red flats will be sure to stand out amongst the sea of standard black flats out there. Also, seeing as they are from Repetto you are guaranteed an amazing comfortable fit!


2. Alexis Mabille x DC Comics - Joker Bow Tie ($167.43): The name just about spells out this item's inspiration. Though more menacing than jolly this bow tie is still nothing short of adorable. Or maybe my version of cute is just as warped as that of the Joker?


3. Karl Lagerfeld x DC Comics - Gloves (Sizes 7-7.5; $591.97): Green Lantern does not exactly jump to the forefront of your mind on first glance, but these gloves are amazing. The more you look at it the more it becomes clear that these were inspired by GL iconography. Lagerfeld after all is known for his amazing ability to tap into iconography to create pieces that use the mythos as building blocks for his own amazing ends.
   


4. Lanvin x DC Comics - Tee Shirt (FR Sizes M - XL; $179.98): Combining the seriousness of Batman with the cuteness of a pug is just the type of insanity that always keeps calling me back to Lanvin. No one else could have managed to capture the seriousness of Batman and the absurdity of comics better!

The ones I was not too fond of either lacked the creative spark or just did not understand where to go with the iconography. Interestingly enough, these pieces were those inspired by characters with the most clear cut imagery associated with them - Superman and Wonder Woman.

1. Maison Michel x DC Comics - Headband ($275.06): This piece inspired by Wonder Woman's tiara just falls flat for me. You all know I am obsessed with headpieces so I was excited to hear there was one included in the collection. I am also a huge Wonder Woman fan, so this should have been a slam dunk. Maybe you just need to see it on?


2. Pierre Hardy x DC Comics - Bag ($1793.06): This was the only piece in the collection I absolutely hated. It just seems so unnecessary and poorly designed. It is supposed to show the duality of Clark and Superman personas, but overall it just looks like they slapped the logo on a bag they had in production. I mean it could have been a really interesting piece since you know Clark/Superman had to constantly change clothes!
   


3. Julien David x DC Comics - Scarf ($382.69): Inspired by Superman's logo this item was borderline for me. I just feel like they could have done more with it than make a scarf that looks like I could have bought it at 6 Flags Great Adventure.
   


4. Sonia Rykiel x DC Comics - Dress (US Sizes 6 - 8; $1076.31): This dress seriously is a disappointment. I really do not know where to begin, but it takes all of the awesome out WW and replaces it with twee. Sonia Rykiel is about the softer side of femininity and I get that - but this was just not a good match up. There is just no excuse when the end product looks like a bastardized version of Sailor Moon cosplay design.

This post has brought me to another point. I think there are tons more people out there like me that love sci fi and fashion. I mean love her or hate her Lady Gaga is practically the walking representation of it! So, every once and awhile a scifi post might pop up amongst all the great fashion dish. I hope you don't mind dear readers!

The New Adventures of Old Jewelry

One whole week without a blog post! Seriously, I should be ashamed of myself dear readers.

I do have a small excuse for it though it was my anniversary! Also, I had to overhaul my garden. It was starting to look like Jumanji out there. Then on Friday, I was walking out of the subway and the sidewalk literally crumbled underneath my feet. I was flat on my back on 60th street and 3rd Ave in front of the movie theater across from Bloomingdales with my foot stuck in a hole. If a nice man did not stop to help me get it out - I may still be there right now. That little escapade garnered me a chipped foot bone and a inflamed nerve. As a good friend of mine likes to say, "my life is not real".

I did, however, work on a post about my anniversary gifts which were repurposed jewelry. It is one of my favorite category of accessories even though it is hard to find done right. Though when you do the results are truly amazing.

For my anniversary I acquired these two lovely pieces from New York based Lori McLean.


1. Locket Pendant Necklace by Lori Mclean: It is of Persian descent and was originally part of a watch fob. The store put the glitter in and it is something I plan to rectify soon. I love the mystery of the piece, because no one is quite sure what purpose it was originally intended. Poison? Photograph? Lock of hair?

2. Compass Pendant Necklace by Lori Mclean: This is a functional brass compass. My husband bought it for me as I am always a bit lost figuratively and literally. The coolest part about it is that it still works!

My other favorite place for repurposed jewelry in New York City is Pippin. I bought this amazing pin made from the remains of an old watch chain.


For those of you not based in the tri-state, fret not as there amazing finds on the web as well if one looks hard enough for these repurposed baubles.


4. Dardeila Aristocrat Revisited Statement Necklace by Voleuer De Bijoux ($85.00) - This piece is simply irresistible as it weaves the old with the new to create something beautiful. The repurposed items are the vintage oval links, link rings, and filigree pendants. I adore these types of pieces in particular, because they truly go with anything. From tshirt and jeans to cocktail dress - this piece would definitely have you covered.

5. Art Deco Rhinestone Dress Clip Necklace by Destash Rehash ($90.00): Oh this is the piece that I am going to regret not being able to purchase. It is pure perfection, but then again I am a whore for art 40/50s costume jewelry. I also love that the chain is a bit rough around the edges in comparison to the pendant. It is what keeps the piece casual enough for everyday life!

6. The Dichotomy Locket Necklace by Basil the Cat ($142.00): Ok I am cheating a bit by including this one as it just vintage and not repurposed, but it is such an amazing piece. I would be remiss if I did not share it with you dear readers. My only gripe is the chain, which I would switch out for something a bit more refined to better contrast with the piece. Then again, I am super picky about my chains!

7. prizewinner by pequitobun ($450.00): Made using vintage rose and horse broaches respectively this piece is a show-stopper. I would probably wear it without wrapping it and wear a simple short base necklace to balance it out. This is the type of item that requires a bit of hutzpah to wear, but I highly doubt you would regret it if you did.

Got any vintage finds that I should know about? Leave them in the comments!

What to Wear: Say Yes to the Dress

The weight of social occasions is especially heavy when you are plus sized. On the one hand, there is the whole anxiety of knowing more than likely you are going to be the heaviest one in the room. Then on the other hand, there is all the stress involved with picking out what to wear when you have limited options. All this negativity can get pretty overwhelming - that is if you let it.

I had a wedding to attend this Friday and as we all know there is nothing like that bit of extra pressure of seeing people that last saw you when you were 8 to send you off the deep end! How did I stave off the jitters associated with such an occasions? Planning. I sat down and planned every element of my outfit from hair, nails, dress, shoes, bag, and undergarments. Over the years, I have amassed some pretty lovely pieces so that I could avoid the whole dilemma of what am I going to wear.

Granted, not many people are like me and find it necessary to have several party frocks in their closets. Purchasing one is a great way to ensure that you always have a great go to outfit that makes you feel amazing. Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than confidence after all!

Why I bring this whole point up is that I have been reticent to do outfit posts of myself. There is nothing like looking at yourself from a wrong angle, but sharing it with the world is a whole other can of worms. The fact is I chose to do it now to show how the power of planning can really diminish any qualms when it comes to body confidence.

1. Dress: I bought this orange dress years ago and it has never let me down. Fit wise its fantastic as it lets me shine in all right places, and color wise it never results in me meeting a color doppelganger.
2. Shoes: These are a pair of Ferragamo kitten heels that I bought ages ago for $99. Honestly, one of the best investments I ever made fashion wise as they will never go out of style and are extremely comfortable.
3. Bag: My little LV always steals the show. I had a larger one in rainbow, which I gave away years ago as it never meshed with my style. It was just a bit too ostentatious and overexposed for my tastes. I have no idea why I ever bothered to purchase it in the first place, but when I saw this item on net-a-porter I knew it had to be mine. Just enough flash to be noticed, but functional enough for everyday use.
4. Makeup: I had to purchase some Shu Uemura products to replenish my makeup stock, so I got my makeup done at their kiosk in Bloomigdales. It was honestly the best decision I ever made, because it was one less thing I had to worry about and I got something out of the deal. I never pay just to get my makeup done ever, because honestly it seems like a waste of money. Just find out what the price of the qualifying purchase necessary, check what you need in your makeup bag, and make an appointment. Honestly, it is the best deal ever. Oh and why yes I am wearing the lipstick from my previous post!
5. Nails: I like to be daring with nails as mine are really short. The blue contrasts nicely with the dress and keeps the whole outfit from being overly formal. It is an OPI shade, but the name escapes me as I got it done at salon.
6. Jewelry: I try to keep everything above the neck classic. These pearl studs are from Tiffany - a gift from my husband many moons ago. The heart shaped ruby necklace from Versani was in fact another gift from my husband. Oh and the blue topaz ring from Little Kings? Also, a gift from my husband. Jeez, I think I really need to go out and buy some pieces for myself. Otherwise, if he dies horrifically in a car crash or we have a nasty divorce - I'm going to have a box full of bad memories.
7. Hair: I got my hair done for the occasion at Blow, because I had absolutely no time to try and tame the beast. Plus, your hair sets the tone for your outfit and overall confidence level. If it looks like hell - you feel like hell. Thanks to the extreme hack job performed on my hair recently, it was a challenge but the stylist was able to make it look amazing.The only thing I regret is forgetting my undergarments at home. The tell tale bump in my tummy is ever-present in the pictures and I could have positioned myself better, but you know what I will remember years from now in lieu of that? What a great time I had and how gorgeous I felt!

Fascinating Fascinators Anonymous

Hi, my name is Lauren and I am hair accessory fanatic. Jennifer Behr is normally my drug of choice, but for the purposes of the post I forced shaky to type something other than her url into my browser. What I discovered is nothing short of amazing.

Jeweled Embellishments: "Rich and rare were the gems she wore..." - Robert Moore


1. sereni & shentel - bow down, bridzilla is here ($60.00): I absolutely adore this headband because it literally is a bow sandwich! The layered construction, furthermore, is what takes it out of the realm of cutesy into the world of stylish objects.

2. Brett O'Mahoney - Minnie ($185.00): This piece reminded of pure old hollywood glamor. I love the fact that the designer chose earth tone colored stones for the embellishment, because by grounding it she kept it from traversing into chintzy.

Delicate Flora: "Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." - Hans Christian Andersen


3. Handle & Spout - White and Pastel 5 Flower Set ($65.00): Mix and match sets are never a favorite of mine, because I always feel they are ad hocked. This piece made me change its mind with its soft elegant design.

4. Claudia Griffiths - gisele headband ($195.00): Go big or go home is one of my phrases to live by and so how could I not love this headband? The best thing about it could be worn with everything from jeans to an outfit for a night on the town. Not many of my hair pieces are that transitional!

Serious Hardware: "It's about putting the pedal to the metal and not asking any questions at all and just going for it." - Brandon Thomas


5. Comme les Moutons - Magdalena ($118.00): If you are looking for a statement piece, well look no further. Those bursting with personality or even those that would like to feign some will defiantly find what they need in this piece.

6. ban.do - mad for joan ($300.00): A bit on the softer side true, but this piece requires just as much hutzpah to get it out the door. The vintage metallic trim gives it a Victorian flair, which makes it perfect for everything from casual to evening.

Flirty Trim: "The exhibitionist loves to flirt with shame.” - Mason Cooley


7. Comme les Moutons - Ginevra ($45.00): Demure until you think about it, this piece's french maid like ruffles will be sure to peak the interest of others. What can I say? I love a conversation starter!

8. ban.do - J ($50): Flirty and fun are the key words that describe this piece. Young knows no folly - right? If you think so, then this piece is definitely for you!

Like it? Love it? Need it? Hate it? Leave it in the comments!

Painted Lady: In Pursuit of Glossy Perfection

Lately, a strange obsession has been creeping up on me. It all started when I began testing out various shades in Sephora to come up with a wet look red lipstick/gloss combo that I liked. I normally skew to more of the lighter shades of pinks when it comes to lip gloss as I am so absurdly pale, but the red look was trending and I wanted in on it.

I kid you not this little adventure made me fall in love with lipsticks/gloss all over again. It was fun discovering what combos worked and when I finally found the right combo it was like a choir of angels began singing. Okay, not really but I deal instantly feel a lot more confident breaking out of the light pink gloss ghetto.

This obsession with the red look, furthermore, has now blossomed into an affection for those stand out colors that people cry out "I love it, but I could never". Today, in fact, I just spent 45 minutes picking out the perfect combo to share with you all in this post in addiction to my famed red wet look. As Mikey said, try it you will like it!

After all, there aren't many obsessions that cap at around $40.00 that do not require rehab down the line.

The Wet Red Look

1. Rouge Dior: Creme De Gloss - Rouge Nectar #845 ($29.75)
2. Dior Kiss: Lip Gloss - Strawberry Smoothie #851 ($21.00)

The Wet Pink Look
1. Rouge Dior: Lipstick - Pink Preview #475 ($29.00)
2. Givenchy: Pop Gloss - Pop Rose #403 ($24.50)

Adventures in Editorial: Boho Magazine

Have you ever heard of Boho Magazine? I didn't until the other day when I was engaged in the oh so glamorous activity of press book assembly at my job. In a nutshell, it is Vogue for the eco-minded. Now, I know images of super crunchy styles are dancing around in your head but stifle the groan and give it a chance. I am glad I did, because besides it's commitment to the environment it also has a groundbreaking way of speaking to readers.

Enough preaching though, because I want to talk about the article that inspired this post: french forecast. It had a list of the current trends percolating in Paris right now, and I looked at it as a challenge for a post for the blog. After all chic eco clothing is in short supply after all - especially in larger sizes!

French Forecast: The Trend List

1. belted organic knits

Original

Inspired

1. Gaiam - Open Vest (Sizes SM - XL; $35.00): Mad of bamboo and organic cotton this piece of knitwear would go great over pretty much anything. Also, it would look adorable belted!

2. Dianne Von Furstenberg - Kezza Leather Belt (Sizes SM - XL; $140.00): Unfortunately, I could not find a green or a vintage belt to complement the outfit. I did, however, come across this amazing DVF belt the complements it wonderfully. How to address the eco-conundrum associated with the purchase? Purchase credits at Carbon Fund to offset the impact of your purchase!

2. borrowed from the boys

Original

Inspired

3. LA Vintage - Polly Plaid Vintage (Size One of a Kind; $42.00): This vintage nerd chic blazer is great way to build the borrowed look. It is vintage which means no impact on the environment and you have to love its kitsch appeal

4. Silhouettes - Simply Me Organic Cotton Knit Shirt (Sizes: XL - 3X; $39.00): The length of this button up enhances the borrowed look by playing on size differentials. Being made of organic cotton also does not hurt, but do note it is a blended piece.

3. classic french

Original

Inspired

5. Emma Watson for People Tree Organic - Stripe Dress (US Sizes 4 - 12; $59.18): Not being a big fan of the classic french horizontal stripe this one was more than bit challenging. I did, however, track down this dress designed by Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame. Pair it with a pair of white leggings and I think it could "technically" be considered a modern take on classic french.

4. cosmetics color

Original

Inspired

6. American Apparel - T-Shirt Dress (US Sizes XS-XL; $30.00): American Apparel and feminine beauty do not normally go hand in hand, but in this case it works. This shirt dress made of organic jersey is the same color as the peaches/pinks (according to Boho) currently trending in Paris, and to boot is just plain adorable.

7. Athlea - Gemini Sweater (Sizes XXS - XL; $59.99): Of course, the shirt needs something over it being American Apparel. (We all know how thin those shirts are after all, and I'm not one to advertise my bra shade.) This sweater would be a great complement. It's creamy color is not only another color trending in Paris, but also a great way to offset the brightness of the AA piece.

5. no sweat

Original

Inspired

8. Adidas by Stella McCartney - Track Top (Sizes 2 - 12; $210): Biking is big with the french, but they apparently are not satisfied with traditional training gear. The search was on for me to find fashionable athletic gear and I found it in Stella McCartney's capsule collection for Adidas. Made of organic grey cotton and more poncho then hoodie, this is what I would wear if I ever could manage to get my bike down the stairs of my hovel of an apartment building.

Any suggestions on how to improve the looks? Like it or Hate? Let me have it in the comments.