The Oscars, which aired over this past weekend, were full of beautifully dressed and highly talented movie stars. Here are my favorite picks from the festivities:
xoxo
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
Required Reading
Fashion: Want to dress like the star of your favorite Oscar-Nominated movie? Read Vogue's guide to the big screen here.
Long Read Essay: My dad sent me this article from The Economist earlier this week about the recent challenges democracy is facing as a political idea, especially in light of the Ukranian protests.
Arts & Culture: Who isn't obsessed with Jennifer Lawrence? She's just so cool. Buzzfeed's Anne Helen Petersen wrote this interesting article about J.Law and the history of cool girls like her who charmed the world with their great looks and even better personalities.
Beauty: Fashion week is over and the verdict is in! Here are 2014's most-wanted makeup colors according to Allure Magazine.
Wellness: On the verge of a cold? Stop it quickly by following these tips from the Huffington Post.
Recipe: Try making Joy the Baker's cinnamon kettle corn for a quick, easy and delicious study snack perfect for during finals. Recipe here.
Song of the Week: "Changing of the Seasons" by Two Door Cinema Club
xoxo
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Try Out A New Texture
Whenever a special occasion comes up, I find myself wanting to try out a new hairstyle. I usually want to add volume and curls to my extremely straight hair (which, for the record I actually like on the day to day). However, I have pretty fine hair, so getting big bouncy curls isn't always easy. After getting my hair done professionally a few times and helping my friends style their hair, here are the tips and products I use to keep hair looking just how you want it all day (and night) long.
Curly, frizzy, wavy or thick hair? Try a straight look.
The first step to achieving the look you want is starting in the shower. Begin layering on products that will help you achieve the hair texture you want to end up with. Start with Bumble and Bumble Straight Shampoo and then layer Bumble and BumbleLet It Shine Conditioner to start with a sleek shiny base. After washing and conditioning, rinse your hair a final time with cold water to seal the cuticle. Then wring out your hair with a cotton towel or tee shirt that will absorb moisture better than terrycloth. Massage a quarter size amount of Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry Cream into your scalp and focus on the ends of your hair. Then blow dry with an ionic blowdryer and nozzle, pulling strands taught as you go. Use Drybar's Flatiron to straighten 1 1/2 inch pieces of hair and add shine and moisture with Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil styling product
Pin straight hair? Go curly
Remove product buildup and get weightless volume with Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo. Then add Bumble and Bumble Thickening Conditioner. When you get out of the shower, towel (or tee shirt dry) to absorb water and disperse an egg size amount of Bumble and Bumble Thickening Mousse into your hands. Rub the product between your hands until it becomes a rich lotion and evenly disperse through hair, focusing on the roots. Blow dry your hair with an ionic hairdryer and round brush, pointing the nozzle of the brush upward at the roots to get more volume. When hair has cooled, spray CHI Iron Guard al over your hair and let air dry. Then curl 1/2 inch sections of hair with Drybar's 3 Day Bender Curling Iron. As you curl, spray Bumble and Bumble Classic hairspray on each curl. After you're finished curling, mist your entire head with hairspray.
Straight hair? Lots of curls? Try soft waves.
In the shower, wash your hair with Bumble and Bumble Surf Shampoo and Conditioner. Then apply an egg size amount of Drybar Southern Belle Mousse to your hair after rubbing it between your hands into a lotion. Blow dry hair straight and then set 1 to 1 1/2 inch sections with T3 Hot Rollers. Allow these to sit at least until they are cool (the longer the better) and then undo each curl one by one, starting from the bottom. Mist each curl with Drybar Money Maker Hairspray. After all of the pieces have been released, flip hair over and spray more hairspray to get extra volume.
Happy styling!
xoxo
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Pastel Preview: Step Into Spring in Style
Spring is just around the corner, right? I can feel it! I absolutely love spring pastels, so here are some of my favorite accessories that will help you transition into the new season:
Thursday, February 27, 2014
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.
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
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
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.
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
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
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...
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:
Winston Sun in Congac Tortoise
Note: No longer available, so try this color.
Happy shopping!
xoxo
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