Magazines: Need and Want

When I read magazines, I fold down page after page of things I want or am inspired by. I vehemently make notes in my head (as though I will be quizzed on the mag's contents at a later date) and always have the best of intentions to come back to these pages. I never do. Until recently, when I thought to myself, "Maybe I should go back and see why I dog-eared these pages!"

Here's what I discovered:

Apparently I really need a Nautical Stripe Tee . Who knew?

Gold Initial Dog Tag gives a spin on the traditional initial necklace

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Toner Astringent Lotion normally I don't suggest using a toner (people love to use and abuse it), but since most people prefer a toner to an exfoliant I loved that this one is double duty: it even has salicylic acid in it!

Revlon Crazy Shine nail buffer: I love myself some shiny nails, especially if it means I can go polish free for a few days and get away with it!

Under the "Check it Out!" category in People Style Watch this month it told me that I must watch Audrina's new show that is coming out (VH1, April 17) How do we feel about this?

Why in the world would I NOT need silky mauve pants?

Love this trick from T. Swift: "I have a good cat-eye trick: Draw an imaginary line from your bottom lash up toward your temple--that's where you make the flick. It's all about getting the perfect angle." Couldn't have said it better myself!

Who knew that Urban Outfitters had such amazing home decor? You must investigate. (there's too many gems to only pick one to put on here.)

LOVE these shoes. So perfect for summer I can barely breathe. I think these might just be my new staple!

Dr. Bronner's Lavender Liquid Soap Here's the claim: Liquid soap made with certified organic oils. Over 18 different claimed uses - everything from soap and shampoo to toothpaste, massage oil, shaving cream and deodorant. Doesn't that sound luxurious??

Michelle Williams in Marie Claire: flawless. I LOVE her lipstick! How rude of MC to not divulge the color. I think MAC Saint Germaine would do the trick though!

Makeover Monday

It's that time again!

Why do we love this so much?

Celebrity before and after pictures...

Which do you like better?

1. Vanessa Hudgens

2. Rachel Bilson

3. Pink

4. Olivia Wilde

5. Michelle Monaghan

6. Kellie Pickler

7. Katherine Heigl

8. Kate Beckinsale

9. Hilary Duff

10. Ginnifer Goodwin

Answer Key:

1. Before

2. Either, but After

3. Before

4. After

5. After

6. After

7. Before

8. BEFORE!!! SO sad!!

9. Either

10. Before

WW: fit to be tied.

I decided that I am obsessed with vintage scarves, and tying them around my head like a bohemian goddess (my words, so vain). Don't you love how it's tied in a feminine bow? AND how you can totally cover up four-day-not-washed hair with it's adorableness? Indeed.

Shirt: Gap

Jeggs: Gap

Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft (recent)

Scarf: vintage (NYC flea market find)

Sunglasses: Armani Exchange, Nordstrom Rack

Now, let's talk about my shoes. TDF. (to die for, for those of you who don't speak in acronym.)

I found these Stewart Weitzman's at Nordstrom Rack the other day and loved them. And then I looked at the price and loved them even more. They were originally $400, marked down to $200, an additional 75% off of that, and then my lovely employee discount on top of that!! The grand total? A mere FORTY DOLLARS. Only 10% of the asking price! I am still on a high from that find. Don't be jealous, just be happy for me, okay?

Fashion Tip Friday: Bangs be Gone

Tired of your bangs?

Yikes. This picture makes me cringe! Cutting them shorter is NOT going to help.

It'll take a good 6 months to let them grow out but here are a few tips to help get you through it.

1. If your bangs were cut super blunt, or you have a lot of thick bangs start to push them to the side like Miss Olsen for the first month or so.

If your hair is more fine/thin your side swept bangs can be a little more piece-y like Rashida Jones.

2. Once they grow past your brows I love a good middle-part as seen on Jessica.

3. Another good trick to get them out of your way is to braid them in with your longer hair. It's waaay easier than it looks! Just make sure to tuck the ends into the braid to prevent having those short fly-aways. And when all else fails...hairspray!

4. Things get less awkward as they move toward the cheek bone. {yay!!}

5. And last, but not least, we have reached our final destination!! I cannot stress enough how much I LOOOOVE a center part with long bangs. YUMMY.

smokey vs. natural

Less is more? or More is less?

You decide...

1. Megan Fox

2. Leighton Meester

3. Kim K

4. Jessica Simpson

5. Reese Witherspoon

6. Heidi Klum

EW

EW. coincidentally this does not mean "ewwww" for this post. It stands for my girl Emma Watson.

E-dub has officially made her way up to the top of the fashion food chain. This girl is legit. Seriously who knew that Hermoine was so gorgy gorg fantastic?

Her makeup is always flawless, her fashion choices daring but chic, and her hair...oh that hair. If you haven't guessed by now, H and I live vicariously through others' hair cutting bravery. I just have to keep telling myself that my face is too round for a pixie (true) and that I would miss my longy long hair if I chopped it to its death (also true.) Ok, now that I am reassured that I could never look like EW even if I cut my locks, let's get inspired anyway:

She's so British sixties I could die. (ok, so being British is actually in her blood. She has genetically one-upped me again.)

Did you hear that she is the new face of Lancome? She has the best face for makeup, that's for dang sure. Also- E makes freckles look fab.

She's like a female Peter Pan, all pixie-like and dreamy.

LOVE this dress. LOVE her with a tan. LOVE the bod.

Wine-stained lipstick plus twenty pounds of lashes equals perfection personified (it's simple math, people.)

Okay so here's my only beef with EW. She has been going to Brown University and has now dropped out to focus more on her acting career. She's so smart! She should finish her education! (Do I sound like her mother yet? Why do I feel so over protective of Hermoine...er...Emma?) I personally would totally forgo fame and fortune via my hypotetical beauty and talent in favor of an Ivy League education …eh, who am I kidding. But still.

I expect {and hope} to see a lot more fashion and beauty inspiration from EW in the future. {Then maybe when the last of the last Harry Potters finally is released I won't curl up in a ball and cry myself to sleep}