Fall 2010: My Report

I have been thinking about fall a lot lately. I hate to see summer go, especially because this one has been a busy one for my husband and me. We haven't really had time to get outside and really soak it all up and he starts a new semester next Monday! Anyway, I don't know what it is, but last year as well as this year, I start thinking about fall in August. Sometimes I think I am done, DONE, with shopping. But apparently I still want more. Here are some things that have been on my mind. I will probably work on getting quite a few of these.

If you remember, I made a list last year in August...

So, a rundown of this year's list:
1) I really want to get into smaller handbags. I have only been using one handbag for over a year now. Just one. That I use for/with everything. Not only am I sick of my current bag, but I am tired of having a huge hobo bag that inevitable fills up and gets heavy. This oversize clutch is great.

2) I need an evening clutch, too.

3) I still don't own a perfect LBD. I would like to have one, I don't know, someday.

4) I also need a simple, sleek black turtleneck.

5) I just cannot get over my love for a good trouser jean.

6) Still would like to find my perfect skinny jean. Note: Levi's have just come out with some new sizes - slight curve, demi curve, bold curve, just for a woman's proportions!

7) I would like some kind of smallish, bag like this cognac one. Brown, rustic-looking, classic fall, to me. Perfect with jeans and a plaid shirt.

8) Ah, the search continues for a perfect green pump. This one looks like it would work with nearly anything.

9) I used to have a pair of simple pink ballet flats that I loved (and wore out. to death). I want a replacement. Maybe this time I'll kick it up a notch and go for something embellished.

10) I need some fun scarves. That is all.

11) Love this chalcedony ring. Love.

12) For some reason I've really been into chain-y bracelets like this for a while. I want.

13) This bag I have been wanting and eying for a long time. So lady-like and classic.

14) Flat cognac boots. Enough said.

15) I am ready to take the plunge into booties. When they first came out a few seasons ago, I thought they looked ridiculous. Last year I started to warm up to them and now I am obsessed. Is that bad? To join the trend late? Hopefully they stick around for a few more seasons...

16) I have never been super into hats, although I do occasionally think they work for me. Lately every time I try on a fedora, I love it on me. I might need one.

And there you have it! My fall 2010 wish list. Sheesh, this thing is long and intimidating, no?

Foundation: In My Opinion, One of the Most Important Steps

I have a few product reviews to do, so keep a look out.
First off, I needed new foundation. For the past two years I've been using (and very happy with) L'Oreal's True Match foundation. They have a superb color range for drugstore makeup, it is quite blendable and gives good, yet sheer, coverage. However, sometimes I get bored. Sometimes I just want to try something new. I saw this foundation in a magazine and thought, maybe I'll give it a whirl.
Anyway, it's by Covergirl, a brand that I have previously decided I don't trust or like. I have never liked any products I've tried from this brand. With the exception of this foundation. It's called Clean Oil Control Liquid Makeup. I noticed in the ingredients that it has silicone-based particles, which is kind of the same concept as those expensive foundation primers.
I think it blends well as it goes on, it does everything a foundation should. It makes a great canvas - smooth, even skin, makes me look "naturally perfect", which is kind of my beauty mantra. And as far as oil control, I guess it does that well enough. Probably better than my last foundation. If you are super oily, I'm sorry, but there is no miracle product out there. Trust me. But this foundation still looks pretty decent after a long day and even better if I take the time to blot once during the day. I have given up on perfection, but I must say I am very pleased with this foundation. Highly recommended. And I got it for just under $5 at my local Target!

Spring, Finally

OK, I'm just gonna blame my major blogging hiatus on winter and it's associated drabness.  I get really tired of it by February.  Lately the weather in my neck of the woods has been fairly decent, but very windy (let's just pretend like I didn't wake up to snow this morning - whuuut??).

Anyway, spring/summer is my favorite time of year.  Probably summer more so, because in the spring it's kind of annoying to still wear a jacket when you leave for work in the morning, right?
I always think that I should buy "against the season" but I can never get myself to do it.  You know, buy sweaters and boots when they are on sale in March and stock up on swim stuff, sandals, etc. in October-ish.  Yeah, I know that's a smart way to do things, but come March, I want to put away my boots and get me into some dang sandals.  So that's what I've been doing lately.  I bought some wedge sandals and a new swimsuit in the last few weeks.  And some shorts.  And some t-shirts.  Wow, when I write it all out, I've been doing a lot of shopping.

If you are smart and you stock up on fall/winter basics at the beginning of spring, or you just don't have the money at the moment to indulge in an of-the-season wardrobe boost, may I recommend a quick, easy, cheap fix?  I just bought this new shade of nail polish.
Sort of embracing the coral trend, in a way that works for me and is not so shocking to my cool-toned ways.

It's Revlon's new Electric Pink.  Under $4 at that really cheap, mega-store that shall remain nameless.  In real life, it is slightly more coral than it looks here in this pic . . .

And One More

I also could wrap myself in this big sweater-blanket.  From Pottery Barn.  (ps. lots of their throws are on sale now)

A Blanket of Snow

Makes me crave of a blanket of, well, blankets.  As much as I love my bed with it's down and memory foam (high maintenance?), I would love to have throw blankets for the couch to cozy up in.  I am currently wrapped in a blanket that used to be on my bed, but it's queen-sized... And my dog takes over it when I am not in it.  Or even when I am in it. 

Anyway, here are some blankets that would make the season bright.

Love this take on classic plaid at World Market.

I personally think it looks better in the store.

The blanket my dog is loving is a microplush style.  You can get those almost anywhere these days.  This one's from Amazon.

And, finally, remember how last year I was totally obsessed with Pottery Barn's faux fur throws?  Well, those are all over the place this year (including both World Market and Amazon).  I could easily settle for one of Target's faux furs.

Any and all of these would look so much better than the blue fleece one I currently have from my college days.

Good Enough to Eat Beauty Products

My husband makes fun of me for making all kinds of "potions" and trying out beauty theories I read.  I have several items that normally belong in the kitchen that have found their way to the bathroom.  It's usually quite economical and natural to use "foody" products in your beauty routine.  A run down of the items I get double and triple duty out of:

Baking soda:  Most people probably know several ways to use this for baking and cleaning.  I use it to exfoliate my face because it is not so abrasive.  I also make a baking soda and water solution that I pour in my hair after I rinse out the shampoo.  I feel like it helps remove any harsh shampoo chemicals.

Olive oil:  We know it is a "heart healthy" fat and gives great flavor to many dishes, but I also use it mixed with salt as a body scrub in the shower.  It exfoliates and moisturizes better than anything.  I find that I can't use it every time I shower because it can be drying to exfoliate with salt daily or even every other day.  I do it once or twice a week.

Salt:  See above.  I use it with olive oil to exfoliate.  I used it (with olive oil) just on my hands today and it was just what I needed after months without a decent manicure.

Vinegar:  Sounds pretty harsh, but I use it on my hair.  I used to use it straight up, but now since I have a cup in the shower for my baking soda rinse, I use the same cup to mix vinegar with water and rinse it through my hair after shampooing.  Many times I do it before conditioner, but sometimes after.  It really helps get product build-up out and keeps my hair shiny.

That's about it at the moment, but I am usually willing to try home remedies of any kind - beauty or otherwise.

Make up Wardrobe

Ah, make up. So many different formulas, brands, price points, gimmicks . . . It is so easy to get carried away, I find, and forget that what I am really after is "me, but better". When I see little girls with their make up free faces, naturally rosy cheeks and long, un-chemically altered eyelashes, I remember. This is what women want, right? I know there are times when more drama is what we are looking for, but some women seem to want drama all the time. It isn't necessary, in my opinion, and I think all of us need to remember when to quit.

I think I wear plenty of make up and I don't completely subscribe to the natural look. But I still want to look like myself and the media can sometimes make me insecure. Fake tans, fake eyelashes, fake hair color, fake brows - it can be easy to think you need more more more and that you have all these imperfections you need to correct. You DON'T.

Anyway, I didn't mean to sound "soap-box-y". I really meant to share what works for me and the products I have found success with.

I have been really happy with L'Oreal's True Match Foundation. I have used it both straight from the bottle and mixed with my moisturizer and it really is blendable and matchable with your skin tone. Plus, they have an extraordinarily wide color range and they make a distinction between warm, cool, and neutral skin undertones. Genius!

I currently use Max Factor Erace Concealer. I like it, as far as drugstore concealers go, but I would like to try Benefit's Erase Paste. Max Factor Erace covers my dark circles well and blends well, but it does have a tendency to crease on me after awhile.

I love love love this blush. I use Revlon's cream blush, which is not in every store, but worth a little searching, in my mind. There aren't many drugstore brands that make cream or gel blush and I will not go back to powder. Berry Flirtatious looks really bright in the store, but goes on just right for me.

A little secret of mine - After I do concealer, foundation, and blush, I take a fluffy face brush and brush cornstarch all over my face. Sound crazy? For me it's the perfect (and cheap! and natural!) translucent finishing powder. Keeps everything in place and helps absorb oil - of which I have a lot.

Next is eyes. I use L'Oreal's eyeshadow quad in Subtle Berries. Eye shadow is probably the hardest for me to choose. I try different ones all the time and they don't always look quite right. I like variations on a purple theme, but I don't want to look bruised. So far, I've been quite happy with this one.

For eyeliner, I am loving L'Oreal's High Intensity Pigments duo - Sculpted. I only use the dark shade with an angle brush on my upper lash line. It doesn't look too purple or too sparkly.
For my lower lash line, I line with Almay's black pearl liquid liner. Just about a third of the way in and then blend with a q-tip.

I've always used drugstore mascara unless I had a sample gift one from a department store. I used to be devoted to Max Factor 2000 Calorie but I now use L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black. I always choose volumizing rather than lengthening or curling mascaras. More impact for less product. And I always scrape off a bunch on the side of the tube before I apply it to avoid clumps.

Lips are another thing that give me trouble. I am hard to match. I really wanted that elusive lip color that could be applied without a mirror and without having to "dilute" it with gloss or balm. Frankly, I've kind of given up on that because I don't think it exists for me. For now, I am pretty pleased with something I picked up on a whim because it was so cheap and everything else was failing me. Wet n Wild Wild Shine Lip Lacquer. I chose the color "Risque" and I put it over chap stick or Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream (my long-time favorite lip moisturizer). I can put it on without a mirror when it's going over balm, but I haven't been brave enough to try it bare lipped. Plus my lips are so dry that traditional lipsticks just don't feel good without some extra moisture. This color miraculously looks pretty natural without turning too orange or brown on me!

This all sounds like a lot of make up, but it really takes me only about 10-15 minutes from start to finish.

And what a difference it makes, right?
"Me But Better"

Another Lovely and Affordable Dress

I really like this one...  I have been on a little search to find a sort of "abstract art" dress.  Something printed... to wear over tights that makes me look artsy and 20-something-cool.  Because that's what I am, right? 

From New York and Company.  They often have some great budget friendly finds.  

This Just In

There is, in my opinion, a serious shortage of green pumps.  Are they un-chic or something?  I'm just having a little obsession with them, for some reason.  Ever since last year when I saw this picture in the October 2008 InStyle magazine. 

They are by Pura Lopez, are over $300, and currently seem to be unavailable.  So, I don't want that exact shoe, but something similar.  In the magazine, the color was a little brighter, but certainly not obnoxiously so.  Just a nice forest green. 

I have found a pair of teal green pumps at Target's website and I am really trying to decide.  Some would say that for the price, it's a no-brainer.  However, it's not something I need.  Also, they aren't quite the color that I had originally wanted.  And would they really be versatile?  I can't justify something that I will only wear with a few outfits.  I'm also not sure how I feel about the t-strap (interrupting the line of the leg, ya know).

They are pretty, though. 

Make up Overhaul

I really would like to have a simple make up routine and I am going through a process of refreshing and organizing my make up repetoire.  I was using Laura Gellar's Tint Hint, which I liked.  But as it got near the end, I thought I wanted to try something new.  Can't put my finger on why exactly, but the desire for something else was there.  I decided to be budget friendly and give a drugstore brand a try.  Now, don't get me wrong - I use grocery/drug store products all the time, but I do not wish to go back to the land of powder blush and there just isn't much else at the grocery store. 

Anyway, I gave Almay's Smart Shade Blush a whirl.  When I first put it on, I laughed out loud with glee because I truly felt it was amazing!  It blends easily and really does seem to sense your perfect shade. However - After a week or two my love began to wane.  I am, as I have mentioned before, oh so very pale.  It is not pigmented enough for me and I didn't find it very buildable either.  My porcelain cheeks need more help. 

I am dying to try Bobbi Brown's new cheek tint.  I really want to get to my local Nordstrom so I can see them in person and perhaps try them on.  I have actually never tried Bobbi Brown cosmetics because yes, I used to live under a rock, apparently.  When I was growing up with my mom, anytime we needed make up it was either Merle Norman or Mary Kay.  Or the grocery store.  Bobbi Brown is much more.... I don't know.... "pink" than I imagined.  The stuff I saw and heard about the line in the past made me think it was only for a granola, natural, earthy look.  But there's actually a surprisingly wide range of colors and pinks!  (Maybe kind of dying to try the creamy lip color too, but that's another post)

Oh my...  I love this dress.  It's gray.  I am trying to get myself into more a-lines but this is really adorable.  I do worry about the fit - Target is hit and miss for me. 

 

I'm kind of trying to include more chic neutrals into my wardrobe.  Occasionally I think I am drawn to bright colors too often.

Some musings on style

I'm feeling like I don't take enough fashion risks.  I don't know exactly how to remedy that, but I everything I am into or buying seems to be very... "safe", if you know what I mean.  Maybe too much "What Not to Wear".
Another reason could simply be that I haven't really found "my style".  I am still relatively young and new to the world of dressing well and caring about fashion.  I tend to like "tailored chic", and lady-like construction.  I like to think I appreciate and buy classic things, too.  See what I mean?  Very safe.  I try to tell myself I am young enough to get away with trying out trends and being a little more daring but it's hard to put that into practice.  A week or so ago I went into Forever 21 (first time in a few years) and immediately thought to myself, "What am I doing here?".  Full of "fast fashion" (similar to fast food).  Brightly colored polyester, rayon, and plastic.  
I can appreciate vintage (or vintage inspired) things, but normally I'm afraid of looking too "granny".  I just don't like things that look unflattering on.  I do love 50s and 60s couture-inspired styles. 

I don't know where exactly I am going with this post, just wanted to think out loud, sort of. 

Fall Accessories Report, 2009

More more more. Just some more stuff I love.  And may be obsessed with. 

 1) I have wanted some fingerless gloves since fall of 2005.  How is it possible that I have never gotten any?  I don't know.  Also, when searching on Etsy, I saw a lot of people referring to them as "Bella Swan gloves", which peeved me and made me wish I weren't shopping for them. 

2) I can't remember when I started wanting a slouchy beret.  I think it was last year, so I may be slow to that trend.  I want it mainly because I have curly hair and a regular beanie will smash my curls and leave them frizzy once removed.  See - fashion can be practical!

3) I am also loving green accessories.  I wear a lot of pinks and purples (which sounds utterly horrible when I say it like that - I swear I don't look 5).  Green would be a good compliment to those colors and I am starting to embrace the idea of wearing accessories in colors that may be less flattering to me when worn in large quantities. 
Also, I would love love LOVE to find the perfect green pump to throw a punch to fall/winter neutrals. 

4) Again, embracing a color (mustard yellow) that I think is great, but not so great on my skin as a sweater or coat.  I love it on some people and love it for fall, but I think if I were going to do it, it would have to be in the form of a fabulous bag. 

In all honesty, the only things on this list that I can really see myself ending up with by the end of the season are the gloves and hat.  And the necklace if I make it.  The rest just aren't in the budget right now. 

Fall 2009 Report: What I am Craving

We have had some cold weather recently in my neck of the woods.  Just a few rain storms and hail once, for a few minutes. But either way, I have a hankering for fall in a bad way.  Although, because of this premature cold weather (and husband going back to school), I am a little sad that summer is ending.

Anyway, onto my favorites this fall.  Some of these are things I already own and some are things I feel I NEED.

1) I need a few more sweaters.  I put a bunch to rest last season (partly because we were moving and the easiest thing for me to do when prepping for a move is get rid of clothing).

2)  I no longer have a white button down.  Essential wardrobe piece, if you ask me.  Or anyone. 

3) I have an aubergine corduroy blazer I bought near the beginning of my style transformation and I love it.

4) I recently bought this black and white tweed skirt from Victoria's Secret (I never buy their lingerie, oddly enough, but love their clothes online!) and it is so perfect.  Another classic wardrobe staple, I think.  Also, you can't tell in the picture, but, the b/w tweed is woven with a few multi colored threads, which I think is an interesting twist on a classic. 

5) I am (fairly) determined to find a pair of skinny (or straight that look skinny) jeans that work for my body.  So far, I have tried on countless pairs with no luck.  I am a skinny person!  I don't understand this!  I just want them to tuck into boots, so maybe they won't look as weird on me that way. 

6) Wanting a grey dress.  Actually, I am kind of on a dress kick lately.

7)  I only have the brown suede boots.  Bought before I was obsessed with being cute and girly, so they are very comfortable and practical.  But I have mostly a wardrobe that goes with black, so I need some black ones, this time with perhaps a bit more femininity.

8) And I am dying, DYING, for a pair of grey slouchy flat boots. 

Big Plans

It has been awhile.  I have taken a massive blogging break in general.  I'm not even as addicted to my feed reader as I once was.  Anyway, I don't want to abandon bloggin completely, forever.  Let's see if I can get back into a routine. 

My husband and I have moved again and are hoping to stay in one place for at least a year. Which is long for us.  We moved somewhere for the summer and took practically nothing with us, so I'm happy to be back "home" with all of our stuff.  I feel safe buying normal sized bottles of condiments and bulk pasta and rice again! 

This fall I intend to get a job . . . of some sort.  I still don't really know what I want to do, but I am forgetting what it's like to be busy and feel productive.  I really need employment.  And I need to remember that whatever job I get, I don't have to love it or feel married to it as a career. 
Also this fall - big plans for hobbies.  I need a job to support my hobbies.  Oh, and to put towards law school debt, right?  But definitely I want to do some major "hobbying".  Making jewelry, sewing, embroidery, photography!  I am excited.  I may even cook my way through Julia Child's cookbook.  Who needs a job you love when you can have hobbies? 

Dear Young Hollywood,

Just because "40 is the new 20", that doesn't mean that if you are 20 you should try to look 40. 

20 year old Alyson Michalka at the premiere of Bandslam.

 

image via imdb, courtesy of Wire Image. 

I am not sure what it is exactly, but she just looks... mature.  More than she is supposed to, in my opinion.

Already Thinking of Cold Weather

I don't know why, maybe it's because some designers have already released fall collections.  I have suddenly gotten obsessed with getting a new wool coat.  I kind of don't think it will happen this year... especially since I got a new down jacket last year.  

Anyway, I have been wanting a bright color coat for a while but perhaps a neutral makes more sense. 
Here are a few I've been loving lately.

This one really might be the most perfect coat for me.  Unfortunately, I can't find it in my size.  Black/White/Gray herringbone... I just can't get over it.

I also really like this plaid one, although I have never before considered plaid. 

Can you tell I love me some charcoal gray?  And a belted waist? 

And here is this year's color choice....  Although I still remember last year's with fondness.  Oh how I love it...

I'm really not sure I could pull off this kind of pink... in this large quantity.  This color might be a bit more flattering on me than my color-love last year.  Pink-y purple would bring out the pink in my skin, rather than the blue, which a teal one might emphasize. 

Thinking of the Future, Again

Seriously?  I found my outfit for my future baby shower.  For when I am pregnant in the future.  Which isn't right now. . .

I am actually tempted to buy it right now and save it for. . . someday. 

Shoes 101

I've been thinking about shoes lately.  Shoes I have, shoes I should have, etc.  I know it is sensible to have a good shoe wardrobe.  I used to think I should just get by with one or two pairs that are versatile and comfortable.  My husband has like three or four pairs of shoes.  A brown pair and a black pair for everyday, cordovan dress shoes, and black dress shoes.  Oh, and road biking shoes.  I used to think I should be like that and struggled for months and months, with several different purchases and returns trying to find a perfect casual pair for everything.

I have since realized that that is just not possible.  So, I've come up with a shoe wardrobe.  I am trying not to waste any more money on shoes that aren't comfortable even if they are a good deal.  And I'm also trying to be simple.  I took an informal poll of my friends to find out if my (approx) 12 pairs of shoes that I currently own is unusual or excessive.  It seems everyone had at least as many as I had, with 15-18 being pretty common.

Here's my ideal, basic shoe wardrobe.

This suits my lifestyle right now.  Maybe I don't need all those boots... hmmm.  I do live in a place that gets quite a bit of snow in the winter.  But other than that I have pretty justifiable choices.  Basic, yet sexy black pumps, versatile and comfortable flats, a sexy summer sandal, a flat sandal, and sneakers because I can't rule out camping, exercising, and amusement parks from my lifestyle. 

Ear Decor

I don't have pierced ears and I never wear earrings.  I think I have somewhat large ears and I just don't like the way earrings look on me.  Why draw attention, right?

I have talked about Francesca's Collections before, but just recently I noticed that they do have some clip on earrings.  I guess I never shop for earrings, but I thought they were rare.  I keep thinking about them because some of them look kind of cool. 

I've never tried dangly or "chandelier" earrings but maybe they wouldn't look so bad on me.  I could still wear my hair down to cover my ears, while not hiding the earrings.  Hmmm.  I am really thinking about this pair. 

And the gold version for my sister (also unpierced)!