February Favorites

Can you believe February is already over? Every year it feels like this month just speeds by even though it's only 2 or 3 days shorter than the other 11 months out of the year. And while sometimes I feel like time is just rushing by me, I am excited to move into March with warmer weather and new adventures (more on that later!).

Here are some of the things that I've been loving this month:

Fashion: Leather

via Theory

I have been incorporating a lot of leather into my wardrobe lately. From leather accents on riding pants to a few new leather skirt purchases to riding boots, flats and bags, leather adds an unexpected twist to my mostly conservative outfits (aka my everyday uniform of skirt + silk blouse). I have been loving circle skirts and A line silhouettes, so playing with materials is a great way to spice things up and add some unexpected edge to an outfit.

Accessories: Layering Jewelry

via Miera T

I have always loved delicate gold jewelry (Jennifer Meyer is simply the best!) but I love it even more when I layer necklaces. Seriously, the more the merrier! I mix chain lengths and styles, but keep to the same material to keep the look classic. This also works great with bigger statement necklaces like J. Crew's jewels. I layer basically any crystal necklace with a pearl necklace, making sure that the necklaces are made of the same metal and have lengths that look nice together. Then, I have a custom look that really makes a statement!

Beauty: YSL Babydoll Mascara

For the past few years I have been obsessed with DiorShow and DiorShow New Look mascara. While I'll always love the classic DiorShow for it's build able formula and volumizing effect, YSL Babydoll Mascara has been a recent favorite. The brush is synthetic (rubber) which I surprisingly like given that I've always loved classic bristly brushes. The formula doesn't clump at all and gives me full, defined lashes in fewer swipes than DiorShow (gasp!).

Beauty: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

Whenever I stray from Kiehl's I end up regretting it. My skin just loves how gentle Kiehl's products are, especially in this drying winter weather. I've been rotating my Kiehl's with my very potent Kate Somerville line and my skin has gotten back in balance. Yippee!

Music: Cider Sky

This band is a recent discovery of mine, although they have been around for some time. Check out their song "We Are in Love;" it is so catchy!

Music: My Latest Playlist

This month has been filled with danceable music like Viceroy, Lorde, Passion Pit and M.I.A. This playlist has been my go to for everything fro getting ready in the morning to doing homework to hanging out with friends. Enjoy!

Food: Pasta/Grain Salad

Photo & Recipe from Martha Stewart

There's a really great little farm to table restaurant near campus that has the best pasta and grain salads from lentils to black rice to orzo everything is simply delicious! And perfect for on the go.

Color of the Month: Gold

Photo via Pinterest

Until recently, I never knew weather gold or silver looked better on me. In terms of my nicest jewelry, I mostly wear silver or white gold. However, I received and started wearing a lot more gold this month and have been loving it! From sweaters to ballet flats to hardware on my bags, I am just loving all things gilded.

Miscellaneous: Celebrating

Photo via Pinterest

I felt like I was celebrating all the time this month- and there was cause for a lot of ruckus. From anniversaries to teaming up with Warby Parker to Valentine's Day (you're the best, bf!!) to working really hard in my classes, I feel like this month has been a slew of celebratory dinners, lunches and late night dance parties with friends (and my sorority sisters of course!). Every day I feel more settled on campus and even though I get homesick more than I'd like to admit- I'm so happy that I am surrounded by friends, a boyfriend and sisters who I can celebrate and who celebrate me. 

Hopefully March has just as much fun in store!

Cheers!

xoxo

Make Up Brushes Explained

Growing up, I participated in many kinds of dance. Between recitals and competitions, I learned how to do a variety of makeup looks at a very young age. From applying false eyelashes and rhinestones to smokey eyes and red lips to natural foundation and soft blush, I've tried it all.

At first, this was extremely difficult. One eye always seemed to turn out darker than the other or my blush looked clownish.  However, over the years I've learned that makeup application heavily relies on a few things: practice, products and tools. 

I have quite a few product recommendations and reviews here. As well as some instructional/practice videos here, but in terms of tools I don't have as much information.  

This post will break down what each makeup brush is used for and how to use them. Here we go!

All brushes by Christian Dior

Both the Kabuki and Powder brushes are used for all over face powder or bronzer. The difference is that Kabuki brushes tend to be denser, so they are better for applying loose mineral powders. However, I like to use mine for blending. After I apply my foundation, powder and blush, I go back with a kabuki brush and buff over everything so there are no harsh lines. Powder brushes are much fluffier and are good for picking up pigment from dense compact powders. Blush brushes are great for applying highly pigmented blush or bronzer. The angled shape picks up on your cheekbones to give you the most naturally flattering flush.

For foundation application, brush choice is more straightforward. If you use a full coverage powder type foundation, use a Heavy Powder brush. If you use a cream compact for foundation, use a Cream Foundation brush. And if you use liquid foundation (which is what I use), use a Liquid Foundation brush.

All brushes by Christian Dior, Sponge by Stila

A Lash brush is great for grooming lashes and taming brows or blending out filled-in brows. Before you apply mascara, curl your lashes with an eyelash curler A smudger is great for blending out eyeshadow or winging out liner for smokey eyes. Use a medium shadow brush for applying color on the lid and in the crease. Use a large shadow brush to blend everything together or to add a wash of color across the entire lid. Finally, use a liner brush to apply liquid or powder eyeliner.

Blend all of your makeup together with a blending sponge. This is particularly effective for liquid or cream foundation/blush. However, the drawback of sponges is that they are difficult to clean.

Finally, use a lip brush for applying lipstick either from a bullet or palette and try out a little concealor brush to conceal any imperfections with a heavy cream or liquid formula.

xoxo

Warby Parker Spring 2014 & Palm Canyon Collections

Today, I've teamed up with Warby Parker Eyewear to review their new Spring 2014 and Palm Canyon Collections which I have to say are absolutely adorable. But before we get to the glasses themselves, I want to share why I love Warby Parker as a brand.

First of all, the brand is very well-priced. $95 for well-made and stylish prescription glasses? 

Count me in. And you don't even have to leave your house! Warby Parker sends you- the customer- 5 pairs of glasses (which you select on their website) to try on free of charge. You then choose the ones you like best and send everything back. Finally, order your favorites with your prescription for $95- lenses included! So easy!

Warby Parker also does good. For every pair of glasses the brand sells, they give a pair to someone in need. By partnering with different nonprofit organizations (such as VisionSpring), Warby Parker has been able to distribute over 500,000 pairs of glasses. Now that's something to celebrate!

Finally, the company's name itself- Warby Parker- is a literary reference (!!!) to Jack Kerouac's Zagg Parker and Warby Pepper. The company is inspired by Kerouac to, "take a road less traveled and see the world through a different lens." 

This brand could not be a better fit for Prose, Pearls & Polka Dots!

And now, onto the glasses...

Spring 2014 Women

Spring 2014 Men

Warby Parker makes quite a few glasses in tortoise shell- which is my absolute favorite pattern (remember tortoise shell everything?). The timeless pattern flatters every hair and eye color, and is a staple in many of my outfits.

Here are my favorite frames from the new collections:

Burke Optical in Tennessey Whiskey

Finch Optical in Violet Magnolia

Marcel Optical in Aurora

Winston Sun in Congac Tortoise

Note: No longer available, so try this color.

Quimby in Aurora

Reilley Sun in Marzipan Tortoise

Happy shopping!

xoxo

Required Reading

News Story: Follow the violent protests in Ukraine here.

Fashion: Get your Outfit Inspiration for the last week of February fro Lucky Magazine!

Long Read Essay: While this couldn't have been farther from my experience with Greek life in college, this essay titled "The Dark Power of Fraternities" is an interesting look at the challenges fraternities pose at many universities.

Arts & Culture:  An interesting read on the future of the Artist's Statement and its history. 

Beauty: Everything you've wanted to know about Heat Styling is covered by the beauty gurus at Refinery 29.

Wellness: Learn about the negative effects of stress on your body by reading: This Is You on Stress.

Recipe: Madeleines. Yum!

Song of the Week: Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz 

xoxo 

Finding Inspiration

I know it has been a little quiet around here lately, but I'm happy that I am getting back into writing now. For a while, the college world was simply catching up with me and between midterms and a few doctors appointments and spending time with friends, I was simply tired and uninspired.

However, I followed some of my own advice and started flipping through magazines and making Pinterest boards to find inspiration.

Here's what is on my radar:

xoxo

Required Reading

Sorry I've been a little MIA lately- between midterms, essays and a few doctor's appointments I haven't had much time for anything, including the blog!

News Story: Copies of Wendy Doniger's Book The Hindus: An Alternative History published by Penguin Books India were recalled and then destroyed after it was deemed offensive to Hindus. Read the thought-provoking story about censorship, economics and literature here and the follow up here.

Fashion: Check out Vogue's Instagrams from Fashion Week here! #vogueinstafashion

Long Read Essay: The Atlantic's Deborah Fallows wrote a really interesting article called "What We Mean When We Say Hello" analyzing what different questions in conversations mean depending on which part of the country you ask them in (for example, in South Carolina it's perfectly acceptable to ask "where do you go to church?" after you meet someone).

Arts & Culture: Check out these Vintage Olympic Photos from Vanity Fair that are timely given the games in Sochi.

Beauty: I've had bangs my whole life (right now, side bangs) and absolutely love them. A few of my friends have asked me about getting bangs, but I don't really have any kind of authority of hair styles. However, this Allure article might help you out if you're thinking about making the cut!

Wellness: This Refinery 29 post about tricks to improve memory has me excited to make some changes that will hopefully mean I'll remember everything from the items on my to do list to the terms on my Italian flash cards.

Recipe: Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix from Food 52

Song of the Week: New Politics' "Harlem" 

xoxo 

Valentine's Day Outfit Ideas

Valentine's Day is in two days! For those of you heading out to dinner with girlfriends or someone special, here are four dresses- ranging from sparkly to simple- that will make you feel extra pretty! 

Rebecca Taylor / Diane Von Furstenberg / Alice + Olivia Madewell

Keeping it Neat: Spruce Up Your Dorm Room (aka Midterm Cleanup)

It's gotten to that time of the term where my dorm room feels a little blah. Now, things look a little bit messy and something simply must be done. 

Here are tips for cleaning up your room midway through the term, as well as a few fun things you can purchase to spruce up your space:

Closet and Dresser

Go through your clothes and make sure everything is hung and folded properly. Don't create extra work (ironing/rewashing) for yourself by not taking care of your clothes. Also, go through your shoes with some shoe polish and rub off any scuff marks. To do this, first use a dry paper towel to buff off mud, then use a soapy washcloth to wash off what's remaining. After the shoes dry, go back in with polish for added shine.

Desk

Make sure you have enough pens/pencils/paper/note cards to last you through the end of the term. Organize old assignments using file folders or in a specified drawer. Reorganize your bookshelves and clear off counter space so you have more room to work. Then wipe everything down with antibacterial wipes or some 409 and a paper towel to kill any germs.

Pantry and Mini Fridge

Empty out your mini fridge and pantry completely. Check all expiration dates and look for anything that has been left open and is going stale. Then wipe down your fridge and anywhere else food is kept with antibacterial wipes or 409 and a paper towel. Now, put everything back and take out the trash!

Laundry

Three words: wash. your. sheets. You should be doing this every week (or every other week if you're not as on it), but if you haven't been keeping up with clean bedding, now is the time to start fresh. Plus, your skin may start to look better as dirty pillowcases often cause breakouts.

Shower Caddy and Beauty Products

Reorganize your shower products. Take an inventory of what you have and what you need. Then, organize your beauty/hair products. Make sure to clean your make up brushes and wipe down your make up (everything should be sterilized!).

If you want to get some fun accents to liven up your room, here are some suggestions:

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Required Reading: New Series!

Happy Monday!

Today, I'm excited to announce a new series on my blog called "Required Reading" (big thank you to the boyfriend for listening to a million different title ideas). Basically, I will be posting a list of must-reads about different topics to start off your week. Here are my picks for this week:

News Story: The 2014 Winter Olympics have begun. If you missed Russia's spectacular opening ceremony, NYT's Alessandra Stanley wrote a great (and funny) piece about the ceremony and its implications for the host country here. And follow NYT's coverage of 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games here.

Fashion: With NYFW 2014 well underway, what better way to see this season's trends than by flipping through Vogue's Street Style. From piling on the fur to layering tights, here's how the fashion elite bundle up.

Long Read Essay: The Atlantic has a really great series called "By Heart" in which different writers reflect on their favorite literary passages. Last week's article was by Dorthe Nors, reflecting on Ingmar Bergman's quote "Here, in my solitude, I contain too much humanity" about the importance of solitude for writing, and art more generally. Read it here.

Arts & Culture: NYT's Martha Schwendener reviews a new exhibition at Purchase College's Neuberger Museum called "Dear Diary: Update on All" here. The exhibition is about the evolution of the journal- from a private place to explore thoughts to a public discussion of happenings due to social media.

Beauty: This Allure article describes how to get the same peachy, feminine look as Oscar de la Renta's models during fashion week and also examines the chic french braids models sported.  

Wellness: This Refinery 29 post about what not to do when you're trying to boost your mood debunks some commonly held conceptions about how to get out of a funk.

Recipe: Dessert blog "Top With Cinnamon"'s Banana, Pecan, Coconut and Chocolate Chip Blondie recipe looks seriously amazing. Try it out here.

Song of the Week: Reptar's "Water Runs" ( from Body Faucet 2012)

xoxo 

Music to My Ears: February 2014 Music Favorites Update

This month has been filled with a serious amount of studying in the library, and therefore a serious amount of time spent sorting through music on Spotify. I've come back to some older favorites, discovered some new artists and have made quite a few playlists.

Here's what I've been loving:

Bombay Bicycle Club

A longtime favorite band of mine, Bombay Bicycle Club has been blasting from my Bose Soundlink Mini Speakers (highly recommend these!) lately. The indie rock group features melodic guitars and now some 80s synth beats. Their new album So Long See You Tomorrow is great, but my favorite is A Different Kind of Fix (specifically the song "Your Eyes"). 

Phoenix

I have always been obsessed with French synth rock band Phoenix (I think I've seen them live at least 3 times), especially their most popular album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (how good is "Girlfriend"?!). However, lately I've been listening to their older music, mainly their album from 2000 United (favorite tracks: "If I Ever Feel Better" and "Too Young").

Delorean

I had heard of this Barcelona-based band many times, but had never actually listened to their music. Now I can't get the songs "Deli" or "Seasun" out of my head! Their music is simply fun (and so danceable). Check out their 2009 album Ayrton Senna for some of the best dance music you'll hear. 

Phantogram

I'm clearly going through a little bit of an electronic rock/synth phase right now (acoustic guitar overload?), and have been so into Phantogram's 2011 album Nightlife, especially the tracks "Don't Move" and "Turning Into Stone." The album is a great blend of guitar, hip hop-style beats, moody vocals and synthesizer. For first time listeners, check out their most famous album Eyelid Movies (start with "When I'm Small" and "You Are the Ocean").

G-Eazy

I don't listen to a ton of rap and hip hop, but I just love rapper G-Eazy's music. One of my cousins showed his music to me and I've been listening to the album Must Be Easy (the song "Lady Killers" and "Rebel" are embarrassingly catchy, despite the admittedly trashy lyrics) ever since. 

Enjoy!

xoxo

Best Eye Shadow for Your Eye Color

With the right color eye shadow, you can really enhance your eye color. For every day or a night out, you can make blue eyes look clearer, brown eyes look deeper and green eyes look brighter by choosing complimenting colors. Add some black or brown liner and lots of mascara to complete the look!

Here are some tips and product ideas:

Blue Eyes

Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Allspice | MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked

Armani Eyeshadow in Boudoir

For blue eyes, opt for warm tones like coppers or mauves. The closer to orange-y colors you are, the better (orange and blue compliment each other on the color wheel). Pinks and reddish purples look great too. 

Brown Eyes

NARS Matte Eyeshadow in Lulu | BareMinerals Olive Eyeshadow

Dior 5 Couleurs Designer Eyeshadow Palette in Navy Design

Anything cool- purples, greens and dark blues make brown eyes pop. Paired with black liner and mascara, eyes will look deep and defined!

Green Eyes

Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Stylish | Stila Jewel Eyeshadow in Amethyst | 

Diorshow Fusion Mono Eyeshadow in Chimere

Pinks and purples are the way to go with green eyes. Use brown eyeliner and black mascara to complete the look.

xoxo

NYFW 2014 Update: Day 3 (Feb 8)

Lacoste

Lacoste Fall 2014-NYFW by kusja on polyvore.com

Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung Fall 2014 Runway Show | New York Fashion Week by marthalux on polyvore.com

Rebecca Taylor

Rebecca Taylor Fall 2014 NYFW by polyvore-editorial on polyvore.com

Herve Leger by Max Azria

Herve Leger by Max Azria FALL 2014-NYFW by kusja on polyvore.com

Tibi

Tibi Fall 2014-NYFW by kusja on polyvore.com

NYFW 2014 Updates: Day 2 (Friday Feb 7)

Cushnie Et Ochs

Cushnie Et Ochs Autumn/Winter 2014-15-NYFW by kusja on polyvore.com

Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller Fall 2014 NYFW by polyvore-editorial on polyvore.com

Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Him

For those ladies out there with a special guy on Valentine's Day, you've got a week (yikes) if you want to surprise him with a gift.  Here are my favorite ideas:

TOD'S Shoe / Ralph Lauren Cologne / Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones / Murdock London Shaving / Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker  / Salvatore Ferragamo Tie

Ray-Ban Sunglasses / J.Crew Socks / Brooks Brothers Shirt / Kiehl’s Men's Starter Kit / Brooks Brothers Knot Cufflinks / Mulberry Cufflink Box

Ralph Lauren Belt / J.Crew Boxers / Simon Pearce Glasses and Bottle Opener / Deborah Rhodes Coasters

xoxo

NYFW 2014 Updates: Day 1 (Thursday Feb 6)

BCBGMAXAZRIA
Fur is everywhere in BCBG Max Azria's Fall line! Check out the show here:

BCBG Max Azria Fall 2014 by polyvore-editorial on polyvore.com

NICHOLAS K

Crop tops and harem pants galore! Check out the reinvented trends here:

Nicholas K Fall 2014 by polyvore-editorial on polyvore.com

Front Row to New York Fashion Week Fall 2014

It's finally here! New York Fall Fashion Week 2014. I absolutely love fall fashion and am already excited to see what's in store for next autumn, especially given the great trends I saw during spring fashion week (hello lilac, pleats, chiffon and ruffles).

Every season, I obsess over The New York Times' Front Row to Fashion Week, an interactive compilation of photos and commentary on the paper's website. It really helps viewers visualize collections as a whole and notice trends. This week, I know I will be checking the live feed all the time!

Now that the schedule has been released, I've noted some of the shows I'm most looking forward to and linked the brands' websites.

Here we go!

Thursday, February 6th

BCBG Max Azria 

Vince 

Friday, February 7th 

Rag and Bone 

Helmut Lang

Saturday, February 8th

Rebecca Taylor

Monique Lhuillier

Alexander Wang

Sunday, February 9th

Band of Outsiders

Diane von Furstenberg

Monday, February 10th

Carolina Herrera

Theory

Zac Posen

Tuesday, February 11th

Tory Burch

Badgley Mischka

Oscar de La Renta

Wednesday, February 12th

Nanette Lepore

Reed Krakoff

Marchesa

Elizabeth and James

Proenza Schouler

Thursday, February 13th

Ralph Lauren

Marc Jacobs

It's going to be a great week!

xoxo

Kate Somerville Skincare Review

via Beauty Truth Serum

Between dry skin and breakouts, my skin needed a major change this winter. Therefore after a lot of research, I switched all of my skincare products over to Kate Somerville's line. 

All I have to say is wow!

My skin had become extremely dry in the winter, leading my to purchase a heavy moisturizer that contained both petroleum and mineral oil. While these ingredients work for some extremely dry skin types, they are also often linked to breakouts- and breakouts there were!

Luckily, my Kate Somerville products had arrived, and over the last week, my skin has started to recover. Here's what I currently use:

Kate Somerville Eye Makeup Remover

Kate Somerville Detox Daily Cleanser

Kate Somerville Toner 

Kate Somerville AntiBac Clearing Lotion

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizer

Kate Somerville Sunscreen

So far I absolutely love everything, especially the AntiBac Lotion and the Goat Milk Moisturizer. I think the two products work really well together at preventing and clearing break outs while healing scars. 

On top of that, my skin is still moisturized and looks much more even.

Obsessed!

xoxo