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Horse Shampoo – Does Mane ‘N Tail make your hair grow faster? posted on August 19, 2009
“Low Maintenance Blonde”: Is Fall’s Ombre Hair Trend Here to Stay? posted on November 11, 2011
I Searched for a ‘Signature Scent’ and Her Name was Lola posted on February 22, 2012
5 easy hairstyles for medium, long, wavy, curly or straight hair posted on April 12, 2011
You’re such a stud – studded shoe, I mean
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♥ Sam Edelman ‘Lorissa’ Pumps, $199.95
A girl could do some serious damage with these studded and spiked accessories. (Who needs Mace when you’ve got sharp spikes jutting out of your stilettos?)
To make these chic and wearable, I suggest balancing them out by pairing them with fabrics like lace, silk, crochet, etc. I love the edginess that these accessories bring to an otherwise lady-like outfit.
♥ Big Buddha ‘Fringe’ Faux Leather Drawstring Satchel, $90
♥ Sam Edelman ‘Lorna’ Pumps, $174.95
♥ Cassandra LA ‘Temptest’ Studded Flap Clutch, on sale for $249.90
♥ Sam Edelman Lockhart Boots, $249.95
♥ Cara Accessories Mini Crystal Leather Wrap Bracelet, $48 ($29 for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale)
♥ Jeffrey Campbell Elegant Stud, $144.95
These could put an eye out! Are you jumping on the studs and spikes bandwagon? Or are you steering clear for fear of hurting someone?
Birthday dress
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I’m not sure how familiar you are with Oregon weather – but it can be very unpredictable. Just when it’s the middle of July and you’re expecting a heat wave, the sun will go into hiding and the skies will become clouded with rain for a week straight. Although Mother Nature’s temperament makes planning el fresco events a challenge, it results in the most beautiful (and green!) summer months you can imagine.
I can’t remember a time when it has rained on my birthday so I was optimistic about this year as well. Although last week was one of Oregon’s famous weeks of rain, come my birthday weekend the sun decided to come out, resulting in a truly beautiful few days.
On Friday we had a little gathering at our new place to celebrate (and hopefully didn’t anger our neighbors too much). On Saturday I had a lovely dinner at my favorite restaurant The Melting Pot with Carter, my mom and her boyfriend, and my dad and his girlfriend. And on Sunday I met some of my girlfriends for lunch and spent the rest of the day painting and cleaning over at our old apartment.
These are some photos of what I wore to dinner on Saturday night.
Oh and just for kicks, here is one photo from Friday night after we had people over…
How was your weekend? Did you get a chance to enjoy the sun?
Rebecca rant – Coveting Rebecca Minkoff clutches
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♥ Rebecca Minkoff ‘Fling’ Crossbody Clutch
♥ Rebecca Minkoff ‘Mini MAC’ Crossbody Clutch
♥ Rebecca Minkoff Cheetah Print Denim Clutch
♥ Rebecca Minkoff ‘Classics’ Multi Zip Clutch
♥ Rebecca Minkoff ‘Embrace’ Top Handle Satchel
The latest Rebecca Minkoff clutches make me swoon. With their supple leather, unique detailing and practical sizes, they make the perfect day-to-night accessory for the fashion-forward young female. You can tell from her line that Rebecca celebrates color, which is fully appropriate for summer and fall, with bright hues at the forefront of contemporary style.
Because I’m indecisive, I have my eye on each and every one of these handbags. But I’m waiting until the perfect occasion to splurge on one of them. Help me decide! Which are your favorites?
Seasonal Beauty Essentials: Summer Edition
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♥ Girlactik Skin Tint Moisturizer – No need for regular foundation on top!
♥ Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder SPF 45 – Great for protecting your skin AND absorbing excess oil.
♥ St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Everyday Gradual Tan for Body – Moisturizing, builds a believable tan, and smells lovely!
Summer has arrived! Every season I update my beauty routine, just a little, to accommodate the latest trends and the change in weather (and my skin color). But no matter what trends are popular at the time, there’s always some predictability to my beauty routine.
For summer, I usually gravitate toward minimalist looks. It’s important to me that I don’t look or feel like I have a lot of makeup on. At the same time, I try to embrace feminine colors for my lips, cheeks, and nails. For example, some popular makeup for this season are coral, orange and bright pink. These are my essentials that will get me though the season.
♥Maybelline Colossal Waterproof Mascara – Builds volume and is sweat-proof.
♥ Benifit Stay Don’t Stray Primer – Which I use as undereye concealer because that’s how I was directed to use it at the Benifit counter in Macy’s. It adds just the right touch of bright.
♥ Clinique Chubby Stick and balm – Moisturizing and adds just a touch of color.
♥ Stila Sun Bronzing Powder – So I don’t feel the need to bake my skin in the sun.
♥ Essie ‘Summer Collection’ nail polish – Because Essie has fabulous seasonal colors with a great consistency.
♥ BB texture – So that my hair has texture and body when I don’t blow it dry.
♥ BB surf spray – For obvious reasons.
♥ Kerastase Defense Ultime – Because the sun can damage your hair and mess with your color that you paid good money for.
What are your go-to products for summer skin, hair, and makeup?
Moving on
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The lease on our apartment is up on the 29th. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been out of college and living with Carter for a year now. I’ve truly loved every minute of it, but it’s scary how quickly time flies.
Carter and I made the decision not to renew our lease on this apartment. Although our unit has been good to us, we feel that we have outgrown it. Instead we’re moving toward the outskirts of downtown into a condominium (which we’re renting) which will give us quite a bit more space. Last Saturday, our families were kind enough to help us move all of our belongings into our new place.
Among many other factors, the extra space, storage, and free parking are enough to convince us that we made the right decision. But I’m certainly going to miss our first apartment together. As I reminisce, here are a few random photos of our old apartment that trigger some fond memories for me.
Although it’s been a little bit emotional, the overwhelming emotion I feel is excitement! The area we moved to is very peaceful. We have some friends in the building. And it’ll be gorgeous for taking photos for this blog! (And it’s only a short Street Car ride away from downtown and northwest.) When we a little more decorating done, I’ll post some photos of our new place.
Overall, we had a busy but lovely weekend. What did you do?
Ps. You can see more photos of our old apartment in this post.
10 of-the-moment styles and how to wear them
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Sometimes updating your look is as simple as remixing what your already own and adjusting the way you think about your style. Recent trends with their casual, 70′s vibe are very conducive to this strategy. With easy-to-wear pieces, simple accessories to add, and a few beautiful basics you probably already own, you can create an array of chic new looks with very little effort. Below are some fun of-the-moment styles that fashionistas everywhere have been embracing this season. I thought I’d give my vanity a day off and skip photos of myself and instead feature my favorite trends on some of my favorite bloggers who inspire my blog and my style every day.
Hanneli captured this photograph of the half-tucked shirt beautifully. I love this style because it’s easy to wear, and you don’t have to worry about the tuck being perfect (sometimes tucked-in shirts can be fussy, don’t you think?). But beware, this style can look very sloppy if it’s not properly accessorized and worn with tailored and polished clothing. (It’s supposed to look like glamour not grudge.) I suggest skipping the t-shirt and using a button up as your half-tucked shirt (like the model is wearing), and pairing it with neatly tailored pants or shorts, and some heels or wedges. Add a necklace and some bracelets to look ultra put together (but not preppy), and you’re good to go.
Trendy shorts are making such a comeback this summer. Different styles are popping up all over the place, ranging from retro textures like lace, crochet and leather (see below), to soft, almost pajama-like materials and silk. (And of course, there’s the denim cutoff.) But silk has to be one of my favorite shorts trends this season. It’s sophisticated but easy to wear at the same time. The classically beautiful Katy from my daily read, Sugarlaws, demonstrates the delicate simplicity of such a style.
I don’t care how you feel about floral. Everyone seems to have an opinion but it’s undeniable that a floral sundress paired with a black blazer is the perfect look for a windy July evening. The lovely Chelsea from Just Zipped shows us how to wear this style flawlessly. Loose, romantic hair, a summer glow and a big smile are all the accessories you need. (The meadow of yellow flowers is optional.)
By contrasting a masculine, denim button-down shirt with an ultra-feminine lace skirt, Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere shows us how you can wear this style and still feel girly, with just a little bit of an edge. Other interesting ways to wear denim shirts? As a jacket over a sundress, with jeans (I know – originally a faux pas…), tucked into a skirt, and tucked into white or black pants.
The always-lovely Audrey Marie from A Lovely Escape shows us how gorgeous coal can be. Form her lipstick, to her blouse, to her ring – she’s got it right! I happen to be very partial to this look because coral is one of my favorite colors. But if you’re not ready to go “all-out coral” just yet, take baby steps by pairing coral lipstick with clothes in more understated colors, like black, cream, or navy.
The military jacket is another example of a great masculine piece that is fun to offset with seriously feminine fabrics, like lace and floral. Trade out your blazer for the military jacket when you’re wearing your favorite LBD, sundress, or floral top. Or wear it like Taylor from Stirling Style, paired with tailored jeans and a striped top for a casual dinner.
The overwhelmingly fabulous Rumi from Fashion Toast uses Bumble & Bumble Texture Cream to give her hair the textured, messy look that she has become the poster girl for. But the best part is that you don’t have to be a famous blogger to pull this look off – summer is a perfect time to experiment with low maintenance texture in your hair.
The notion that you need to offset brights with neutrals is no more. Khatu from I am Khatu shows us the right way to do color blocking. Bright top, contrasting bright skirt, bright belt, bright clutch. It’s impossible not to love this look.
Stylish Ashley from Breakfast at Saks demonstrates how perfect and tasteful a tied-front shirt can look. Looking for tie-front shirts? Nasty Gal has lots of them. Or just play around with your favorite button-up and find a style of tie that works for you.
The Blonde Salad‘s Chiara couldn’t look more fashionable in these leather shorts. Pairing the them with a crisp white button down was the perfect move. Another great way to wear leather shorts is with a cream crochet top. Check out NastyGal.com for more ideas.
Independence Day
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“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.” – Albert Camus
On my nails:
♥ Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Celeb City (bottom coat)
♥ Sally Hansen CRACKLE overcoat in Cherry Smash
♥ Sally Hansen CRACKLE overcoat in Distressed Denim
♥ American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Clear
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Fabulous Finds from Target
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I’ve promised myself that I’m not going to shop between going to Las Vegas last weekend (which drained my bank account anyway) and my birthday which is at the end of July. That gives me about a month of practicing self control. But this hasn’t kept me away from the mall, Urban Outfitters, and my personal favorite bargain store – Target! (I’m taking baby steps here.) No, I didn’t buy anything. But I did a lot of scouting and window shopping and at Target I documented the fabulous deals on clothes and accessories that they have right now so that all of YOU can reap the benefits, even if I can’t!
Living vicariously though you guys is good enough for me at the moment.
If you know me well or you have been following my blog for a while, you’ll know that I’m OBSESSED with Target. (You can see my collection of Target shoes here.) The store has a huge array of completely on-trend, fashionable pieces that you’d never expect at prices everyone can afford. They’ve really stepped up their game, and I’m throughly impressed.
I actually get more compliments on my Target clothes and accessories than my things from designer stores. (That’s a little sad, when I think about it.) And the funny thing is that when I say what I’m wearing is from Target, people are always shocked!
This has sparked a lot of requests from friends for me to go with them to stores like Target and, well, show them how to find the good stuff. That’s really the inspiration behind this blog post. If you like it, I’ll do another post like this for another inexpensive or discount store. Let me know if you have a request for a specific store.
The other thing about Target is their online store is about a zillion times larger than their brick-and-morter stores. So, there are a lot of hidden gems waiting to be discovered online too. Sure, you have to do a little bit more weeding through the crap (excuse my French) than you would in a real store, but the online store ultimately has a much better selection because it carries sold-out styles and online exclusives. Take these incredible, genunine-leather boots that my friend Sarah C picked up a while back. They’re no longer available in stores but Target.com is stocked!
