My $5 Manicure

Well, good things do come in small packages.  In fact, 28 good things may come in small packages.

Thanks to Kendra, a friend on my college newspaper team, I have discovered a solution for my nails, a $5 solution.  Observe -- my nail make-over below.

Let me start by saying: I cannot deal with long acrylic nails.  I hate not being able to press buttons on a phone or tie my shoes with the annoyance of ridiculously long nails.  Yet- this new $5 nail solution has been quite a blessing.  These acrylic nails come with 28 different nail tabs so that you can fit each nail just right AND they come in different lengths.  I purchased the "real short" length.  They are barely longer than my actual stubby nails, but they look magnificent.

Kiss acrylic nails in "Everlasting French" are available for $5-$6 at Walgreens, Wal-mart, and CVS stores. If you're anything like me, make sure that you buy them in the "real short" length if you wish to have full functionality of your otherwise short and stubby nails.

Side note: Make sure to spread the nail glue all over your nail, or else you will end up with splotches under the nail of where the glue is and isn't!  I did that to a few nails and didn't notice until after I was done...!
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This nail kit is absolutely perfect if you're wanting to make your nails pretty for a special event. Love it.

Oscars 2012: Red Dress Event

Hello to the best dressed list for the 2012 Oscars.  I was browsing through the pictures and I realized that there were several red dresses at the Oscars.  It was hard not to notice.

Red seems to be trending...

From left to right: Michelle Williams, Emma Stone, and Natalie Portman

A lot of red tonight.  My favorite of the bunch?  Emma Stone -- so classy and poised.

Heads Up For Jeweled Head Bands

Glamorous and slightly princess-like, headbands are a trendy accessory.  One of my favorite models, Chanel Iman, has been spotted wearing all kinds of fun headbands when she is out and about. 

                                                                       Chanel Iman

Naturally, I have been scouring the internet for more headbands comparable to Chanel's.  I came up with some really pretty ones.  The jeweled headbands look more dramatic by far, while the woven ones look a bit more bohemian.

Below are current selling headbands from Nordstroms.  After visiting Nordstroms a month ago, I seemed to remember seeing these on the sales floor. They have many more styles in-store as you can imagine.

Let me know if you find trendy headbands elsewhere.  I'm still curious.

I'm becoming a bit of a headbandit.

Call It Spring: Moto and Military Boots

You can ask anyone -- I am rediculously picky when it comes to buying my boots.  I bought my first pair of motorcycle boots in the fall of my sophomore year.  They were from Macy's and I had to order them because they didn't have my size in the store.  This proves that I am picky.  They were $54, which isn't bad for a nice pair of boots.  I still own them and  still wear them; however, they have a small hole in one of the back heals from pulling them on and off so much over my wool socks.

Right before Christmas, with the help of a giftcard, I purchased a new pair of boots at JC Pennys.  Yes -- JCP.  As I have said multiple times before, I am VERY picky when it comes to buying moto boots and I fell in love with a brown pair at JCP similar to the ones that I bought in high school.  A picture of them is posted below.

These are perfect. I have been wearing them this fall.  They have no zippers, only buckles and are a dark, worn brown.  They were $45 at JCP.

This past weekend, JCP had a rediculous sale and put these boots, along with other boots on sale for $15.  YES. $15. I bought these boots that I already own in a taupish grey color and then I bought another pair of lace-up combat style boots as well.  The shipping was free because I chose the option to have them shipped to my local store. 

I'm so excited to see these boots once they are shipped to me!  The ones that I bought are posted below.   The first boot is the Camon biker boot.  The second boot is the Litrenta Lace up Boot.

Both are from the JCP line Call it Spring which is an ALDO shoe group.

$15....not too bad.

Not to mention... I'm obsessed.

Affordable Faux Fur

Finally, something that I can afford on my college dime.  A wrap around faux fur collar. I bought it for $6.99.

The leopard print is really trendy and it adds spunk to all of my jackets and coats.  See my smirk?  - It comes with wearing the leopard faux fur.

Style that.

I Vote Fair Isle Sweater Because It's Still Cold Outside

It's one of those days. FREEZING.  It's February, which means the cold is still sticking around.

Style lingers amongst pea coats, scarves, warm tights, and boots.  I don't mind the cold that much, but there comes a point when I just want to say, "enough is enough".

Then, this magical and soft miracle appears in my bottom drawer; a fuzzy, mulit-colored bundle of joy.  Meet my warm friend, the fair isle sweater. 

YES. I am that happy in this sweater.
Not only is it chunky and roomy- it comforts me.  And on top of all the great descriptors I have already given you, it still looks good!

I picked this one up at American Eagle Outfitters for $16 back in December.  I bought mine in-store, but they still have a few left online in red and grey.

I also found this fair isle sweater in black at Urban Outifitters.  I didn't buy it, but I really like it as well.  It's part of the "Urban Renewal Vintage" and it's on sale for $29.99.  If I wasn't a broke college student, I might actually consider buying it right this second.

It's time to wear my fair isle sweater, drink hot chocolate, and watch a movie.

I Spy With My Big Cat Eyes

When Scarlett Johansson flashed that red lipstick smirk with Tom Ford Nikita sunglasses on, I was inspired.  I am in love with these sunglasses and have been ever since I first saw them on Scarlett months ago.  They are so fun! They have also been spotted on Kourtney Kardashian (Regardless of sass- that girl's got style).

I was seriously drooling over these sunglasses around Christmas time, but I knew it was a bit ridiculous to ask for a pair of $400 sunglasses on a college dime.  The great thing- there are a pair sold online that look very similar.  At least, the frames are almost spot on.  This means that I can be glamorous for less. 

Keep in mind- these cheap frames that I am recommending are NOT knock-offs.  Only the style is the same. No fake "Tom Ford" will be plastered on the lenses or frames.

The copycat pair is on eBay for $9.99 (+$1.99 shipping).  So, for those of us with limited cash flow, this is the answer.  I have an eery feeling that they will become very easy to snag soon though, as many junior stores will probably mass produce them by summer. 

I can't wait to purchase my own set of cateyes.  I'll post a picture once I snag a pair.

Meow.

2012 Grammy Gowns

I wanted to take a moment out of the evening to post two of my favorite looks from the 2012 Grammys tonight.  Taylor Swift and Carried Underwood both had absolutely ravishing silhouettes in these gowns.  Both also chose gowns that were backless!

Carrie was wearing a Gomez-Gracia gown.

Taylor was wearing a  Zuhair Murad gown.

Style on.

Alexander McQeen Face Lace vs. Marykate and Ashley Lace Veils

Firstly, I must commend the amazon seller that sent me this late copy of the special edition Vogue (Best Dressed 2011).  It was sent from Brooklyn, NY and arrived to me across the coast in three days.  This seller knows how to pack a magazine!  It was wrapped in plastic (as shown above), slipped in between two pieces of cardboard, and then packed nicely in a hard cardboard envelope addressed to yours truly.  I will buy from this seller again.

Secondly, when I first saw this cover, I assumed that the face lace on Marykate and Ashley would be none other than the lace masks that were shown at the Alexander McQueen runway not long ago.  Turns out, they are not the same masks.  But, take a peak below at some of the Alexander McQueen Spring 2012 RTW runway masks.  They are beautiful and compliment the RTW tremendously.  I chose my three favorite looks of the show and posted them below.

Sarah Burton has done well with the Alexander McQeen line.

Yet, going back to the lace masks that Marykate and Ashley were wearing on that exquisite Vogue cover- they were wearing Maison Michel lace veils.  Well done, Vogue, that was a great choice.

Inspiration: Part 1

I have noticed that looking through magazines is a great way to get inspired.  Another way is to study people on the street.  I did both today.

It's funny how fashion is all around us.  In art, in architecture, in people, in the obvious (clothing), but what really intrigues me is how fashion or style is shown in each individual.  I know I use clothing and sometimes red lipstick to show that in my own way.

Wearing a bun on top of my head and painting my nails plum purple make me feel, well, sassy.  In a good way. 

Back to the fashion in art, etc... I have this amazing poster hung up in my living room from the 1963 film Critic's Choice starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope.  This poster was given to me by my grandfather and it was one of the original posters hung in the theatres.  I absolutely love it and it inspires me.

I'd say this movie poster is fashionable.  And inspiring.

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Emma Stone: Dress Master

Over the past two years, I have noticed Emma Stone on the rise to mega stardom.  Along with that mega stardom came some really amazing dresses.

She is funny, and very much a natural beauty.  What I love about her style is the fact that it's not really set in one color or one particular style of dress.  Grecian goddess, babydoll, or vintage inspired -- Emma always knows how to awe the crowd. 

At least, I'm in awe!  Below are six (yes- SIX!) of my favorite Emma Stone dresses, so far.

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1. Emma in Venice wearing Roland Mouret gown and Alexander McQeen Clutch.

I love this color.  And I like how the neckline is very Hollywood glam.  I would love to wear a dress like this one! 

2. Emma in Lanvin.

  This one is so classic.  It even has a little train!

3. Emma at the screening of Paper Man in a beige Stella McCartney dress.

I knew her stylist and I had something in common- we both love Stella!

4. Emma in Lanvin at her Germany premier of The Help.

The sweetheart neckline is so flattering- and the dress has a Grecian goddess appeal.

5. Emma at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards in Bottega Veneta.

A sweetheart neckline underneath lace!!? Yes, Emma. Your color scheme is perfect too.

6.  Emma in Lanvin again. 

A beautiful usage of coral.  Also, the band around the waist is ever-so-flattering. This IS Grecian Goddess.

After being mystified by these beautiful dresses, I can only wonder- what will she wear next?!

Which is your favorite?

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Fresh Start

I found myself in New York wanting to blog when inspiration hit.
But I didn't.

I found myself inspired walking around my school campus in New jersey and thought maybe I should blog about this?
But I didn't.

I found myself at home looking around for fashion inspiration, found some, then thought about blogging.
But I didn't.

I have been so nervous to start blogging again...that I have been limiting myself.  What would people think?  I haven't done anything for so long....does this make me a deadbeat blogger?

Then, most recently, I found myself sifting through my fashion magazines, updating my bulliton boards...and I thought I should blog.

So, then I did.

My inspiration boards.