Week DAY wardrobe

I am going to be going out of town this weekend, so I thought I would post my random Thursday outfit:

There are a lot of trends out there right now that we are loving! Two particular trends that have caught my eye are zipper detailing and hats.

Cuffed T with back zipper: Gap (I think I need to get it in every color. It is so comfy and has become my uniform of sorts the past couple weeks!)

Jeans: Citizen of Humanity

Shoes: Steve Madden

Hat: Urban Outfitters (I got it on sale too!)

Gold bracelet: vintage

Gold watch: Okay, I'll be honest here, even though it pains me to confess my ghetto-ness. The gold watch is a fake Rolex that I bought in Thailand. Okay? There. I got it off my chest.

theend

Makeover

Another beauty added to our portfolio!

Marianne was gorg before {no doubt} we were able to enhance her look by giving her a more flattering hairstyle and day-to-day makeup overhaul. I can't say enough how fun it was to spend time with this hot mama. Those of you who know her can attest to her magnetic personality.

We just love a good makeover.

What do you think?

Now, what's a great makeover without a fabulous Photog to capture it all?

A Big THANK YOU to Larry Reeves and his undeniable talents!

Check out more of his work here.

WW

Have you been introduced to Chevron stripe patterns in clothing? Oooh, I wish you would. SO super flattering! The diagonal lines draw the eye to the waist, which is exactly the point when dressing yourselves. Always play up the smallest part of your waist to give the illusion of an hour glass shape. This can be done with dress silhouettes, belts, tailored blouses and jackets, or fabric patterns like this one!

I got this dress a while back on eBay, where they have an assortment of fantastic vintage dresses from various sellers.

**tip: search "chevron stripe vintage dress"**

Dress: vintage

Shoes: Madden Girl

Necklace: F21

Belt: F21

Earrings: Nordstrom

And, just in case you're wondering, I am wearing MAC lipstick in Snob.

Belated WW

It's been awhile since I've posted a Weekend Wardrobe.

I've turned over a new leaf and decided to embrace my nautical side.

Boyfriend Cuffed Sleeve Shirt: Gap ($8)

Dark Wash Jeggings: Gap, used my 40% off coupon ($40)

Yellow Shoes: Target ($20)

Earrings: F21 ( $3.80)

PS: Gap is having a really good SALE right now.

Look how economical I am...Such a recessionista!

Nailpolish: ChinaGlaze, Recycle

LOVE it.

Thanks, Em.

"can't pull that off"

If I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase “I just can’t pull that off” I would be a rich girl.. I must say, I am totally a believer in wearing what you feel comfortable in. Because we all know the best thing you can wear is confidence. However; I feel like there are many trends that people would wear if only they knew how. Luckily I have some pointers to get you started in the right direction.

I think Marilyn Monroe said it best when she said-

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."

Jeggings

The intertwining of Jean and Legging. I was mildly skeptical about them to begin with but I think they are nothing short of fantastic. I absolutely recommend buying them in a DARK wash. Darker=takes up less space= smaller= skinnier= Kate Moss. {practically.} Next step. What do you wear with the Jeggings? Almost anything. Seeing as you don't need to cover the ba-donk-a-donk because they are jean material, you can wear a tunic, oversized sweater, long shirts...you get the idea. Just make sure your top has a little more volume {like the ruffles on the model's shirt} to avoid the skin-tight look. Also, they are very versatile as far as shoes go. Wedges, closed toed flats, kitten heels, pumps, you name it!

Speaking of shoes, we're still in love with sky-high pumps. Don't be afraid to have 8 mile long legs! Nude heels will especially help in that area. Just please stear clear of anything clear/plastic. I know, I shouldn't have to say anything. But unless you're working the pole it's not for you.

Menswear.

Is there anything more chic than a fitted blazer?! And I die over a tuxedo inspired top. Does it feel too manly for you? Dress it up with ultra fem jewelry and those sky-high heels we discussed earlier!

The Cateye.

Angelina. Lauren Conrad. Courtney Rogers. Yes, I said it! Courtney does a envy-worthy mean cat eye! I'm begging her to do a video to show us exactly how it's done. I promise this is one ya'll can do on a daily basis. LOVEY-LOVE-LOVE. Wear this with a pinky/nude gloss like Angelina. You don't want to over-do it with an obnoxious hue since the eye is the focal point of this look.

Dark Polish.

Yes. you can wear it and not look goth! It is so very chic. Look for shades with undertones of red, purple, silver, and blue if that makes you feel more comfortable.

WW

This Weekend Wardrobe begins with a story of triumph: Remember when I told you how much I love this necklace? Well even though $42 may be cheap for Anthropologie, alas, it is still not in my budget. So, I did what any girl would do: ask my significant other to splurge on it for my birthday! But when I went online to see if they still carried the necklace, I was thoroughly rewarded for my patience in purchasing because it was now on sale for $19.99! Yay!

That being said, the dress in this WW had been an object of my desire for a few weeks. Then I saw my cute friend Carli wearing it at her baby shower it pushed me over the edge! {I give credit where credit is due}

Dress: Target {couldn't find the link online but it is still in stores}

Black undershirt: {the dress is a tank top.} Down East Basics

Necklace: Anthropologie

Mustard and gray shoes: Last Chance

Vlog: Vanessa Hudgens!

The Votes are in amigo!

Y'all chose Vanessa Hudgen's do'.

This was so much fun!

Thanks to C for being a great model.

i saw on the news last night that Zac Efron was in town...

i like to think that he saw C and had to do a double take!

Watch the video to see how you can create Vanessa's curls at home

Enjoy!!

Make-up on a Budget

Time for another reader question! Can you believe it? They are, like, pouring in. We LOVE it!

Just be patient with our slight delay in posting the answer :)

This week's question is from my friend Ashley {who, incidentally, I have known since like 3rd grade, and I am so glad she reads the blog. Yay!!}

"I am make-up challenged so it's fun to read your suggestions. Do you have any suggestions for decent make-up that I could buy at, like, Target? I used to only wear MAC but now I just can't bring myself to buy the department store stuff anymore but I also can't find any make-up that I'm thrilled about at my good old Target!"

Good thing I am a magazine junkie because I have read so many great articles lately proclaiming the wonders of drug-store makeup. Can it be true that there are some miracle-workers out there that are also, dare I say, CHEAP?

I have done exhaustive research and feel confident in my ability to recommend a few products from several makeup categories.

First let me say that if you are going to splurge on any one thing, let it be foundation! This is the "base" {pardon the pun} to all good makeup. Although sufficient substitutes can be found, you may want to save your pennies for this one extravagance.

That being said, here is "The List":

Foundation: Cover Girl & Olay Simply Ageless, L'oreal True Match, or Revlon Color Stay *Opinions vastly differ on this subject so my best advice is to read about each of the suggestions online and choose one that is best suited to your particular skin type.*

Pressed Powder: I usually do not suggest powder to anyone unless you have oily skin, BUT I have heard good things about L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder. Just please don't keep reapplying it all day. Please.

Mineral Powder/Foundation: The consensus is that L'oreal Bare Natural Mineral Foundation is a close carbon-copy of Bare Escentuals

Concealer: L'oreal True Match or Maybelline Dream Mousse {Tip: use a more sheer concealer for under the eyes, or mix your heavier concealer with a touch of moisturizer before you apply to undereye area.} Oh, and you know how I feel about Carmindy's pink brightening concealer for under eyes. It is miraculously still available for purchase here.

Blush: L'oreal True Match or NYX Powder Blush *Choose something that looks bright, because it will be much more sheer once it is on your skin. Brighter blush is better blush!* {I just made that up}

Bronzer: This is a toughie. I wish I could go to the drugstore and personally help each of you pick out the right bronzer. Rules of thumb: Nothing too orange or too shimmery. The lighter you are, the lighter your bronzer should be. Apply it to the outer perimeter of your face, plus where the sun would naturally kiss you: down the nose, on the cheeks and around the temples. That being said, try Physician's Formula or NYX

Mascara: Cover Girl Lash Blast

**Note about mascara: If it is $1 or $25, use what works for you! You know your lashes best!**

Pencil Eyeliner: L'oreal Infalliable Never Fail Eyeliner or any Wet N' Wild

Eye Shadow: L'oreal HIP Shadow Duos {these have the most pigment and have a similar formula to more expensive alternatives}

Eye Shadow Base: For those of you who are familiar with MAC's paints, I have a revelation for you! L'oreal has come up with a pretty convincing substitute in their HIP Cream Shadow Paint. It makes a great eyeshadow base, especially for those of you who live in hot or muggy climates!

All Over Highlighter: ELF Shimmering Facial Whip in Pink Lemonade or Citrus Revlon Color Stay Mineral Finish Powder in Brighten {these are great for the high planes of your face, i.e. the top of your cheekbones, under your brows, down your nose, or above your cupids bow}

.:FYI:. I am in no way affiliated with L'oreal Makeup, it just so happened that many of the best drugstore options fall under their brand name :)

Let me know if you try any of the suggestions or have any of your own to add to the list!

WW

Who else is sick of wearing shorts? Blah. Also, my legs really aren't in prime shorts-wearing condition, if you know what I mean {lack of tone, lack of tan, etc.}

This weekend I decided to throw on some old faithfuls {skinny jeans, that is} and roll them up a little so I didn't sweat to death. Good thing we went to the movies and it was a wee bit chilly in the theater.

{We saw Despicable Me; It was hilar! Loved. It.}

My Weekend Wardrobe for this muggy weekend in July consisted of:

Nautical cream and navy shirt: Gap

Skinny jeans: Gap

best Mustard shoes ever: Last Chance

Cream bauble earrings: Nordstrom (in bp)

Celebrity Style

For our next VLOGGING adventure, I thought we would give our readers a voice. {Lea Michele Style} Well, not really. But we wanted to hear from you. Vote for which celeb's style you would like to see us recreate!

{see above}

Lea Michele

Vanessa Hudgens

Gisele Bundchen

Whitney Port

Lauren Conrad

Kim Kardashian

Gwen Stefani

These gals are SO glam. I know it'll be hard to choose. Don't worry, you can vote multiple times!!

end of an era (or a month)

I have re-discovered the joys of shopping as, subsequently, my shopping freeze came to an abrupt end on July 1st (cue Hallelujahs)!!

During this month I was challenged to find acceptable outfits for myself, minus the convenience of spontaneous shopping sprees to fill in the wardrobe gaps. However, if I do say so myself, it was almost liberating to be confined by the contents of my current wardrobe. It was practically a scientific experiment to see how I would react to not buying anything new for 30 days. Guess what? I survived! You should try it, you might surprise yourself and revive some old lifeless gems in your closet!!

{more on that in a minute}

Some people might not think it a big feat to not shop for a month. Do people do this all the time? Maybe I am the odd-ball, what with my 3-times-a-week mall outing. I think it seems so normal to me because my mom, sisters, and several friends follow the same pattern of chronic shopping habits.

The hardest part for me was wearing the same things over and over, with no new accessory to change up the outfit. {we all comprehend the new life that accessories breathe into our clothing, yes? good.}

The best part was wearing things that I hadn't worn in a long time, and feeling the obligation to try my darndest to make cute outfits. Plus, I knew I was going to post the results of my experience and would be at your mercy :).

{Unfortunately I did not get a photo of myself wearing every outfit I scrounged up. Despite the looks of things, taking photos of myself is not my number one priority}

oh, and I know I need to get a dress form to put the clothes on instead of hanging them on a hanger and nail. you'll need to get over the unprofessional situation.

Who knew that jean vests were back in style?! Let me tell you, this vest is so old I should probably call it vintage. But since we are being honest, I'll tell you where I actually purchased it (don't judge me): Wet Seal for $3 like 7 years ago. But I know for a fact you can buy jean vests at Gap as we speak. so there.

I love the print of this dress and I totally forgot about it! Silly me. It looks killer with a navy blue belt (I've got a vintage one with a gold buckle that fits the bill with exactness)

dress: F21 (probably 3 years ago?)

K remember how much I heart rompers? Well, I do. How could I have forgotten about this nautically-inspired number?!

{oooh, I love me a sailor-themed ensemble. this is one of the few areas in which me and H's opinions differ}

Romper: boutique in CA

Belt: F21

Cardigan: Target

Shoes: Gucci outlet

Lesson learned: I already have tons of stuff in my closet so I don't need to shop everyday. The same probably can be said for you.

The end.

{until my next wild idea}

Bag Lady

There's nothing like a good purse. It can totally be a justifiable investment because you will use it everyday. BUT for all you recessionistas out there I came across some very practical and very gorg arm candy too. {we're not talking men} So take a gander. There are some great summer bags out there!

$528 Anthropologie

$168 Anthropologie

$65 Etsy

$85 Etsy

$42 Etsy

Steve Madden $40

I also came across these suggestions on

"How to Pick a Purse For your Body Type" EHow.com

Choose a medium-sized clutch in a bold pattern if you are insecure about your tall and thin stature. This type of purse attracts the eye away from the body. Likewise, accentuate your positive features by carrying your purse closest to the body part you wish to highlight. For example, hold your purse at your side to draw attention to your hips or under your arm to draw attention to your face.

Carry a small purse if you are petite. Hold it over your shoulder if you have a small bust, or dangle it off your arm to detract from a large bust. Choose fabrics in solid colors or small print.

Adjust the strap of your purse so that it rests at your hip if you have a large bust or rump. A messenger-style bag carried at the waist works well to add balance to full-figured women, and these purses can be purchased in any color or pattern.

Tuck a shoulder bag under your arm if you have a pear-shaped body. Make sure that the purse falls above the waist so as not to add additional bulk to the hip area. Subtle fabrics embellished with small details work well for this type of purse.

Buy a medium-sized purse if you are plus size to avoid adding the pounds that a small or large purse can add. Carry the purse by the strap or drape it over your arm. Adjust the strap so that the purse falls directly at your waist and not your rump. Look for a purse that holds it shape well and is more "boxy" than "baggy."

- Can I just start by saying that reading this made me so self-conscious about the way I've been holding my purse all these years. Would have been nice to know that I can accentuate my positive features just by holding it a certain way. Thanks for the heads-up google.