Lookbook - Patterned

H&M TOP
AE CUT OFFS
MINNETONKA SHOES

The Green Monster

Fashion and beauty can play key roles for us and what we like, but taking care of ourselves is very important too! A goal of mine this summer has been to put good foods into my body. Our bodies need proper nourishment, so what better time to start then the present! I was reading The Violent and one of their posts was about a little critter called the Green Monster. Chalk full of nutrition and great taste, this little creation has become a staple for my diet. I follow along with their suggested recipe and serving sizes, and it's turned out to be lovely! I like to have mine during my "down time"--usually during the mid afternoon before I head into work. This smoothie gives me just the right energy boost I need to get me through the rest of the day. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Looks I Love

End of Summer Edition.

Rag & Bone Jeans
Nasty Gal Dress
Ray-Ban Sunglasses
Jeffrey Campbell Bag
Jeffrey Campbell Shoes

Outfit of the Week

dress Rag & Bone

bag Proenza Schouler

shoes Alexander Wang

glasses Nasty Gal

My Essentials

1. Rusk w8less Plus Hairspray $14 - My roommate let me borrow this hairspray once, I've been hooked ever since. It truly is a miracle for me. The thing I love the most is that it never leaves your hair feeling "crunchy", and it doesn't not give off a strong chemical odor like some hairsprays-- which is also a plus. This leaves my hair feeling soft and very manageable.
2. Boots No.7 Quick Thinking 4-1 Face Wipe $7 -I first saw these as recommended by fashiontoast, and it was a great recommendation! These wipes are the perfect combination of facial cleaner and make-up remover. They are strong enough to remove waterproof mascara (major plus), but they leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed. Plus, for the price could you really need more?

3. Maybelline Volume Express The Falsies Mascara $7 - I've reviewed this product on here before, but I will say it again that for under $10 I think this is one of the better drugstore Mascaras on the market right now. For me, I've never experienced any bad clumping with the applicator brush, and I find it evenly distributes all over my lashes, leaving them very much volumized. It's also great for when you want to just add a little definition to your face without sitting down and applying a full face worth of make-up, which is something a on the go college student like myself can appreciate.

4. Burt's Beeswax Lip Balm Tin $3 - This has been a staple of mine since I found it in middle school. I love Burt's Bees simply because of the instant cooling effect it has on my lips. It never builds up into a slimy residue like some other chapsticks or lip balms. It simply is a nice and natural way to heal your lips. It is also a nice base to add to your lips before applying a lipgloss or lipstick because it does not have a very thick constancy.

5. Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow $7 - This has also been a staple of mine for a very long time. I get the 4 shades in Not so Nude. The shadow has a nice luminance quality to it. It is also a nice go-to shadow if you're not feeling like going all out on the eyes. The colors blend very well together, being a creme shadow, but they only thing you may find troublesome is if you're not used to it you may wipe it off by mistake. Overall though, it is a great product!

6. Clinique Gentle Light Powder and Brush $23 - This is by far the best finishing powder I've found that I like. And when it comes to splurging on make-up, Clinique is always an exception for me. This product is so versatile because you can apply it alone or as a finish. And it also contains light reflecting speckles so your face always looks clean and shimmery. For the value and the time it takes to go through a bottle (which is a long time), it is definitely worth the investment.

Store Find - Dolce Vita for Target

Just in time for the Summer, Target has a new line of shoes created by the brand we all love Dolce Vita. These are some great styles and a lesser expensive price, all being under $30. And each shoe is available online, so hurry up and get your pair!

Outfit of the Week

This outfit is perfect for all of your summertime adventuring. Perfect for a day at a park, a music festival, or even just a walk around town. You'll be keeping your style while remaining comfortable all day long.

1. Turnback Placket Grandad Shirt from Top Shop - $70

2. Dolce Vita Marci Sandal from Need Supply Co. - $78

3. People Uni Horn Sunglasses from Need Supply Co. - $150

4. byCORPUS Sueded Shorts from Urban Outfitters - $59

5. Chloe Marcie Nubuck Satchel from Neiman Marcus - $1850

The Sweetheart

When I thought of this outfit, I really had a blast from the vintage past in mind. Seeing how the 70's are making a big comeback again this season, I thought, why not the 50's or the 60's too? This was a simple outfit I thought would go great for a night out on the town or a day at the office. It is versatile enough to be dressed up or down.

1. Tie-Back Sheath Dress from Banana Republic - $150

2. Carolee Single Strand White Pearl Choker from Max & Chloe - $50

3. Ray-Ban Sunglasses from Zappos - $99

4. Knitted Pink Textured Fifties Style Cardigan from Top Shop - $64

5. Eddie Ballet Flat from Tory Burch - $178

Black & White

Top: H&M, Denim Shorts, Shoes: F21, Glasses: Ray-Ban

T by Alexander Wang Fall 2011 RTW

I love everything about T by Alexander Wang. His line for Fall 2011 is absolutely stunning. I really like the different fabrics he uses. If I could, I would buy it all.

[images from http://www.style.com]

Feather Earrings

The feather earring is an accessory that I saw a lot of last season, but I see it making a comeback again in the spring. It is a versatile piece of jewelry that looks great with anything. And, the best thing is that you can find a pair for you in any price range.

1. Chan Luu Feather Earring with Sterling Silver Charm and Chain in White Mix - $170

2. Urban Outfitters Statement Feather Earring - $34

3. Free People Ombre Feather Earrings - $28

4. Forever 21 Drop Medallion Feather Earrings - $3.80

Outfit of the Week

Here is a fun and casual outfit to help you beat the Spring Heat!

1. Black Airtex Back Vest from Top Shop - $16

2. Urban Renewal Cutoff Denim Short from Urban Outfitters - $44

3. Marc by March Jacobs Totally Turnlock Bell Handbag from Zappos - $159

4. Chloe Sunglasses from Zappos - $330

5. Tap Shoe from Need Supply Co. - $38

Trend Report: Bangles

I have seen so many of these lately. I am crazy for all of these designer bangles. It seems that every label has their own take on them, and I want them all. They are very whimsical and fun, and would go great with so many different outfits.

1. Coach Thin Signature Bangle $68
2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Marc Logo Band Bangle $68
3. Miu Miu Bracelet $265

4. Prada Charm Bracelet $125

5. Louis Vuitton Inclusion Bracelet (small) $340

Lash Curling Mascara

Lets talk about Curling Mascaras. I've been on the look out for what I deem to be a pretty good mascara. Lets face it though, they sure are hard to come by. Occasionally I'll find something that works great for awhile. I always loved Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara Blackest Black, but it never really elongated my lashes-- it simply left them really dark, but very separated.

However, I discovered two as of late that work very well. Each are on different price points, so I thought I would just talk about them both.

First Maybelline's Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara works great for the price. Being under $10 basically sold it to me (and the reviews). The applicator brush is very light and flexible, so it doesn't get too clumpy when applying to the lashes. I also really like the brushes curve to contour the lash while giving it a slight curl. And Secondly, Clinique's High Impact Curling Mascara is also a great purchase, though a little more expensive than most brands at $14. The brush is sturdy and applies a really good coat of mascara to the lash. And when it says waterproof it really lasts all day, which is something I think is really important. I am one that doesn't really have time to constantly re-apply make up throughout the day, so I love something that actually is long lasting.

All in all, these are two great mascaras each under $20 that can be purchased at most drugstores and department stores.

Fashion Inspiration: Cassie Ainsworth

This weeks Fashion Inspiration is the character from the hit UK show "Skins". The show by know has become a common reference due to its heightened popularity. Cassie is by far my favorite character, so I thought, why not have her as the fashion focus? Her style is so quirky in every episode she is featured in, but you would never think of it as "too much". I found bits and pieces that are similar what she wore in seasons one and two, but added a slight muted flare to them for everyday wear.

1. Cream Daisy Flower Applique Sleeveless Dress from Top Shop - $110

2. 3-Piece Beaded Necklace Set from Forever 21 - $5.80

3. Seychelles Teardrop T-Strap Heel from Urban Outfitters - $98

4. Ruffle Top Floral Ankle Sock from Urban Outfitters - $8

5. Silence & Noise Boyfriend Blazer from Urban Outfitters - $78

Slyvia Ji

Slyvia Ji is one of my current favorite contemporary artists. Her use of color is so bold and holds a strong force of emotion behind it. I love her color glazing techniques as well, along with her ability to capture the pure essence of feminine beauty. I also love the way she explores other people's cultures-- it sparks my very own curiosity.

Outfit of the Week

This outfit of the week is inspired by today's weather forecast--
humid as can be with a lot of rain!

Here is a simple way to stay dry while not sacrificing style!

1. Hunter Original Boots from Zappos - $125

2. Nude Blossom Floral Print Sleeveless Dress from Top Shop - $60

3. Clear Bubble Umbrella from Urban Outfitters - $18

4. Maurissa Bag from Need Supply Co. - $96

Trend Report

1. Kimchi Blue Linen and Lace Tee from Urban Outfitters - $39

2. Pins and Needles Lace Applique Tee from Urban Outfitters - $54

3. Knitted Champagne Lace And Ladder Top from Top Shop - $90
4. Apricot Lace Emroidered Crop Jacket from Top Shop - $110

5. Lisa Lace Dress from Nasty Gal - $48

6. Lace Box Tee from Nasty Gal - $38

Alexander Wang Fall 2011 RTW

I am in love with this entire collection! So many textures of fabric, my eyes are all over this! I can only imagine what it would feel like to wear this.

[image via style.com]

Pretty in Pink

1. Lisette lace shell from J.Crew - $29
2. Sparkle & Fade Pleated Chiffon Miniskirt from Urban Outfitters - $49
3. I Love Rococo Unisex Tee from Wildfox Couture - $77
4. Light Pink Tiered Peter Pan Collar Blouse from Top Shop - $75
5. Pink Speckle Jersey Boyfriend Vest from Top Shop - $25
6. Lace Neck Tunic Blouse from Top Shop - $80
7. Silence and Noise Oversized Silky Shirt Dress from Urban Outfitters -$69

Looks I Love

from
Nasty Gal

My Dream Room

There is something about the way this room is put together that makes me visually salivate. I have always had a love for the non traditional, and this is just absolutely stunning to me. Designer, Laurie Owen, puts together such rooms that combines the organic exterior world and combines it with the comfortable sense of interior living.

Everything about this makes me so very happy. I want to have a room that I feel calm in-- if I were to meditate, this room would facilitate it. I currently live in a "college house", meaning, it has no personal flare and it is a rental. When I have the ability one day to own my own house, it will have such a feel to it that will hopefully make my visitors feel the way these images make me feel.

[images from here & also Laurie Owen Interiors]

Outfit of the Week

1. Cream Cornelli Neck Dress from Topshop.com - $160

2. Hi Pointelle Rib Over the Knee Sock from Urbanoutfitters.com - $14

3. Frye Engineer 8r Boot from Needsupplyco.com - $198

4. Ray-Ban M-Signet Sunglasses from Urbanoutfitters.com - $145

Viva Las Vegas
The only good photos that turned out well on my camera. The rest are on my Phone. :(

Another holiday has come and gone. I'd say though that Valentine's Day is one of the more controversial holidays. If you're in a relationship, it is a day for you to spend doing what makes you happy. Or if you're single, it is a day to spend doing what makes you happy. I don't really understand why this holiday is viewed with such animosity, really.

I'm thinking of adding more DIY to this blog-- interesting project ideas to spruce up this college house I reside in! Renting surely is convenient, but it never really feels like home. Home to me has personality and character. I'd also like to start photographing more things as well as cooking more and focusing on things that make me happy.

Expect more updates to come!