fashion-forward

I've got pretty amazing friends. We're all so good looking too.




Jonathan, Ennely, me, Susan, & Sam



 My blog is definitely more fashionable than yours. I found this perfectly-fitting shirt at TJ Maxx for $8. How awesome is that. (ignore the weird facial expressions. I'm not much of a model.)

 Ennely Medina is one of the most stylish girls I know. She looked amazing today, and she made the blog for it. The suspenders add a funky twist that I adore.

 

boho

I know it's been awhile, but I've gathered a lot of great ideas for new posts, so you'll be seeing new stuff soon!

The other day I was looking in my closet and was inspired by a transitional dress/skirt that I had never worn very much. It reminded me, when worn as a floor-grazing skirt, of the maxi skirts that have been gracing the runway all season.

Old  Navy shirt, Coach braided leather belt, Lapis dress/skirt, Vera Wang sandals

To get this easy, loose style, gather your hair into a half-ponytail and secure with a hair band. Then take your fingers and split a hole in the middle, above the band. Take the tail of your hair and bring it through the hole. Tighten or loosen depending on the look you're going for.

Makeup: Bare Minerals matte foundation, Clinique eye shading pencil in 22 charcoal brown, Maybelline classic Volum'express mascara

scrubs

I've decided to share with you two of the simplest recipes out there - one for silky skin and another for smooth, soft lips.

BODY SCRUB:

• 2 - 4 tbsp of baking soda
• a few drops of essential oil 

Orange oil is my favorite oil to use in this recipe, but I also use lavender, peppermint, lemon, or any other essential oils that I can find.
I promise you, this scrub is amazing. Plus, it's all natural.

LIP SCRUB:

• granulated sugar
• honey OR eye cream OR hand lotion 

I don't have exact measurements here; it's more up to you, use however much you think you need. Then just scoop some up with your finger and rub it across your lips. The sugar buffs away all the dry skin.
Enjoy your lusciously smooth skin! Leave a comment if you discover a favorite oil you like to use in your body scrub.

1960s inspiration

The other day, I was hit with sudden inspiration when I saw this picture:




Leah Antas wears a Forever 21 dress. Photo taken for her modeling portfolio in Lincoln Park.

 

This picture of Leah seriously looks like it came right out of a Vogue spread. I love it.

And, when I saw this picture, I immediately thought: 1960s. Twiggy. Jean Shrimpton. Audrey Hepburn. Vintage.

Twiggy photos courtesy of: whatever.losito.net & wikis.nyu.edu.

Jean photos courtesty of: forums.filmnoirbuff.com, thefrenchsampler.blogspot.com,

Audrey photos courtesy of: absolutely.net, yellowmagpie.com, & celebritynewsandstyle.com

Vogue photos courtesty of: voguearchives.onsugar.com, coverbrowser.com,



Hello, sunshine

It's 6:00, and you're alarm is ringing for you to get up. All you want to do is curl back under the covers (which suddenly seem so much warmer and more comfortable) and sleep til noon. I know this feeling only too well!
So you crawl out of bed and into the bathroom to wash your face and wake up. Guess what? You look terrible. You have dark circles under your eyes, your hair is limp, your lips are dry and cracked, and your skin is dull. What do you do?
First, don't panic. I'm here to help. Here's a quick, get gorgeous look in 8 easy steps:

1. Wash you face with a calming, brightening cleanser. (I love Paula's Choice Skin Balancing cleanser, or Clear cleanser for oilier skin)
2. Tone & moisturize - both will help wake up your skin and make it look alive.
3. Conceal undereye circles. This step definitely makes you look awake. Also conceal any blemishes to get a flawless complexion.
4. Use foundation if you think you need it. (I use bareMinerals Matte. It's great for a light covering, and it absorbs excess oil to eliminate shine.) Perhaps try a tinted moisturizer (especially in the dry winter months) which provides light coverage and extra hydration for your skin.
5. Open up your eyes with an eyelash curler. Then use a dark brown or black mascara on your lashes. This step is vital for big, beautiful eyes. Some of you may add some eyeliner here too, for even more defined eyes.
6. Apply a rosy blush to the apples of your cheeks with a big, fluffy brush. Blush helps add color and light to your face. If you're feeling pasty and pale, use the same fluffy brush to sweep a bronzer across your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin.  
7. Apply a light pink or rosy gloss to your lips. (I love Clinique Chubby Stick in Woppin' Watermelon.) It looks fresh and natural. If your lips are dry and flaking, use a lip scrub (try ones by LUSH or philosophy) and then a lip balm before you apply any lip color.

Aaand...voila! You're done. Go get 'em!