Spring Break Shopping

I know it's a little late for most people, but it's finally SPRING BREAK!!! I'm going to NYC, not anywhere tropical or beachy, but I thought I'd put together a few cute pieces for anyone who's traveling to a coastline local in the next few weeks.

Victoria's Secret Triangle Bikini Set, $19 at victoriassecret.com, J. Crew Solid String Hipster, $38 at jcrew.com: This Victoria's Secret bikini is pretty much the perfect basic bikini. I have one in black (but I'm seriously eying this purple), and it's really simple, but really well made. The cut is on the skimpier side, but I think the clean lines of the bikini keep it from crossing the border into skanky. It comes in a rainbow of colors, and it's so affordable that you can afford to try out different shades. For a pair of bottoms with a little more sturdiness and coverage, these J. Crew bottoms fit the bill. They have a little more fabric in the booty area and a slightly higher cut, and come in a lovely, subdued range of colors. It's not cheap, but J. Crew swimsuits literally last forever.


All J. Crew: French Sailor String Hipster with Neon Ties, $46 for top at jcrew.com and $48 for bottoms at jcrew.com, Scalloped Underwire Top, $50 at jcrew.com, Gingham Underwire Top, $50 at jcrew.com: If basic swimsuits aren't really your style, J. Crew makes some fab statement suits. This striped bikini is a nice twist on the typical nautical look, with the thin stripes and neon ties for a jolt of modernity and color. It's classic and chic, but still fun. I'm really feeling bra-cup swimsuits right now. They fit nicely into the retro-glam, chest emphasizing looks that we've been seeing on the runways. The basic bra-top can look a little lingerie-ish, so I love this scalloped bra top. It's the kind of subtle detail that adds so much delicacy and so much visual interest to an otherwise basic swimsuit. I'd skip the scalloped bottoms and go for the simple bikini bottoms above, though (the scallop looks a little around on the hips). This gingham bikini is giving me serious Christopher Kane vibes. The bra cut keeps all that gingham from being too Dorothy, and it's slightly nostalgic and cheeky with just a hint of Lolita. Again, I'd swap out the bottoms for a solid pair of bottoms in a nice navy blue (who wants gingham across their hips? Not me).


Colin Stuart Ruffled Sandal, $29 at victoriassecret.com, Mystique T-Strap Python Sandal with Studs, $145 at singer22.com, J. Crew Reese Gladiator Sandals, $88 at jcrew.com: Picking good shoes for the beach is difficult. On the one hand, you want to look cute, and on the other hand, you want to be practical. I usually go for flat sandals. They're easy to walk in, easy to shake sand out of, and all the openness lets your feet dry off more quickly. These Colin Stuart sandals are really flirty, with their punchy colors and ruffles, but the simple cut keeps them from going over the top. For an edgier look, I like these Mystique sandals. The python leather screams Upper East Side diva, and the studs add a little downtown bite. If you're into a simpler, earthier look, these J. Crew gladiators are perfect. The brown leather is classic and very Italian, the thin straps are delicate and girly, and the overall effect is bohemian, but refined.


Ray-Ban Outsiders Oversized Wayfarers, $145 at shopbop.com, Diane von Furstenberg Nobi Cover-up Dress, $285 at shopbop.com, Jen's Pirate Booty Senorita Dress, $115 at singer22.com: Oversized sunglasses are a MUST for any beach trip. They're like sunblock for your eyes! And they're super glamorous. I love the classic Wayfarers, but their oversized cousins are on the top of my sunglasses wish-list. They have the same retro shape with the inherent fabulousness of oversized frames, AND they come in tortoiseshell. One of the hardest parts for me about beach dressing is finding something to put over my swimsuits. Shorts and tops can get a little cumbersome, so I like to turn to easy, floaty dresses. They're great transition pieces between the beach and the street, and they don't cling to the body as much as, say, a pair of shorts, so they're likely to dry more quickly if they get wet. This DVF cover-up is so festive and fun in that pink leopard print, which is so perfect for spring break, and it would look great loose and as-is, or belted for a little extra shape. Jen's Pirate Booty makes the perfect beach dresses--slightly boho, a little Oaxacan, a little pirate wench, they're sassy and young. I love this blue dress because the off-the-shoulder cut helps eliminate tan lines and is super-sexy, the blue hue is very tropical and beach appropriate, and the light fabric would be perfect for frolicking in the sand.


Zimmermann Gitana Drawstring Bag, $81 at shopbop.com, Juicy Couture Resort Tote, $103.80 down from $148 at shopbop.com, Fashion Babylon by Imogen Edwards-Jones, $11.97 at amazon.com, Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes, $7.99 at amazon.com: One essential for the beach is a good tote bag. You want something cute, but also something big and functional. No leather (the sand and water will only ruin it), but canvas is a great option. It wears well and it's easy to clean. This Zimmermann bag has a boho, summery feel to it, and the slouchy lines are really relaxed and beach appropriate. I love the idea of a floral print with a black background--it's still summery but it has a bit more of an edge. For a cleaner, more structured look, I love this Juicy tote. The zippers and compartments are great for storing and organizing, the basic black works on and off the beach, and it's big enough to store all your sunglasses, snacks, and trashy beach reads. Speaking of beach reads, here are two of my favorites. I know I've mentioned Fashion Babylon before, but if you love fashion and its culture, you'll love this. Not only is it full of interesting, juicy details about the fashion industry, but it's a really fun, light read. Bergdorf Blondes is a Gossip Girl for the 20 and 30 year olds, centered around socialites and heiresses in NYC, and the girls that they're friends with. It sounds dumb, but it's highly entertaining, and packed with relatable characters.


Image Sources:
Victoria's Secret bikini: victoriassecret.com, J. Crew hipster: jcrew.com, J. Crew striped bikini: jcrew.com, J. Crew scalloped bikini: jcrew.com, Gingham bikini: jcrew.com, Colin Stuart sandals: victoriassecret.com, Mystique sandals: singer22.com, J. Crew sandals: jcrew.com, Ray-Ban sunglasses: shopbop.com, DVF dress: shopbop.com, Jen's Pirate Booty dress: singer22.com, Zimmermann bag: shopbop.com, Juicy Couture bag: shopbop.com, Fashion Babylon: amazon.com, Bergdorf Blondes: amazon.com.

Jen's Pirate Booty

Since I've already declared it officially summer (LA's rainy weather is taunting me), it's time to start hunting down some summery dresses. For some reason, I tend to get all happy hippie boho during the summer. Probably because when I don't have to go to school, I stop stressing, and when I stop stressing, I'm a happy hippie. See, I can do math! Anyways, all the other happy hippies out there, I'd like to introduce you to Jen's Pirate Booty. As the name implies, it is slightly pirate-inspired, but not in a tacky/dated way at all. The pirate inspiration is limited to the trim/tier combos and ruffly edges (for some reason, those remind me of pirates. Then again, I could just be crazy, which is probs the more realistic option).

Pretender Top, $99 at shopbop.com, Stevie Top, $110 at shopbop.com, Senorita Dress, $115 at madisonlosangeles.com: Let's get one thing clear. That is a dress, not a top. Please don't wear it as a top. It's way too long. As a dress, it's kind of sailor-inspired (there's the pirate!) and adorable. The black trim at the hem balances the strong neckline nicely, and it's the perfect combination of comfy and flattering. I'm not suggesting that middle piece as a top either. It has way too much volume and it's too long for that, but it would be an adorable bikini cover-up for the beach! It's short enough to be cool, and seems like it would dry very easily--plus, those sleeves would move so well in the beachy breeze. That yellow off the shoulder dress screams summer ingenue. Yes, it's a little on the bare side, but anchored with some cute engineer boots it would be the perfect outfit for a hot July day.


Joni Dress, $115 at madisonlosangeles.com, Cha Cha Mini Dress, $110 at revolveclothing.com, Janis Dress, $115 at madisonlosangeles.com: All three of these dresses are so adorable, I can't stand it. They all come in a rainbow of juicy colors. The first dress is a great day dress for the girly-girl, with it's swingy shape, ruffly tiers, and easy belt-ability. The second dress is a slightly sexier, night-time option, and the a-line shape keep the bare shoulders and mini-dress length from crossing the border into slutty. And if you're truly hippie dippy trippy, this Janis dress is perfect for you. It screams '70s. In the best way possible.


And all of these are under $115. That's pretty good for slightly pirate/'70s inspired summer dresses in Starburst worthy hues.

Image Sources:
Pretender Top: shopbop.com, Stevie Top: shopbop.com, Senorita Dress: madisonlosangeles.com, Joni Dress: madisonlosangeles.com, Cha Cha Mini: revolveclothing.com, Janis Dress: madisonlosangeles.com

Who Needs Showers Anyway?

This is also a continuation of my excursion to the wilds of Arizona, to a certain extent at least. Okay, so it's not really wild per se, but when there are almost thirty people living in one house and only half of them take a shower after one week, well...you can see where I'm going. One of our best friends became dry shampoo. Now if you haven't heard of it by now, it's basically a product that is powder based and you apply it to your hair, where it then absorbs all those yucky and smelly oils. Some products require you to wipe it off with a towel while others only require your fingers or a hairbrush. The first really eye opening version of this product was Oscar Blandi's Dry Shampoo. The fresh verbena scent will liven up almost anyone's dull locks. The only problem is the bottling. One can I used died only after two sprays, most definitely NOT worth $21. Which is why I was very happy when my mother got the newest, more user and environmentally friendly version for my birthday. Not only is it a few dollars cheaper, but you don't have to worry about the bottle going all haywire on you. Basically, all it really is is fancy, nice smelling baby powder, but it works, so hey- I'm not complaining.


Image Sources:
Oscar Blandi Spray: ulta.com
Oscar Blandi Powder: ulta.com

Desert Island Beauty

Ok, so I realize that if I was actually going to be trapped on a desert island for the rest of my life the things I would bring would be somewhat practical. Like sunscreen, or chapstick, or water. Stuff like that. But if I'm going to be trapped on said island with other people, and I don't want to run the risk of scaring them away with my morning face, then let's face it, my desert island top five would probably be all makeup. I don't want to think about what that says about me as a person.

1. Kiehl's Tinted Moisturizer.

This is the Holy Grail of tinted moisturizers. I've tried so many different brands (Laura Mercier, Benefit, Duwop, Tarte, the list goes on) and this is by far my favorite. It actually has a significant amount of pigment, so people without perfect glowing skin can use it. It only comes in three shades, but somehow they seem to work for a lot of different people's skintones. It's magic! It doesn't feel gritty or go on streaky, and it's decently moisturizing. It also has SPF, so it's somewhat practical for a desert island. Score!

2. Stila Pressed Powder.

I have combination skin, so my face is shine central by lunchtime. However, it's also completely dry and generally flaky, and finding a powder that cuts down on shine but doesn't highlight how dry my skin is has been nearly impossible. That's why I love this powder. It's so finely milled that it doesn't accentuate any of my flakies (it seems to make them disappear!), it makes me skin look airbrushed, eliminates shine, and tones down redness. And the compact is adorable!

3. Urban Decay Primer Potion

I was in denial about needing shadow primer for years. I thought it was a waste of money and overrated, and so I didn't even bother trying it. But when I actually started wearing a decent amount of eyeshadow for more than two or three hours, I realized that most of the shadow ended up on my browbone, or on my cheeks, or under my eyes. Basically everywhere but my eyelids. And what little remained on my lids creased like crazy. This stuff is genius! My eyeshadow and my eyeliner stay on all day without fading at all (my shadow will still crease a tiny bit but it's so much less noticeable), and it waterproofs my eyemakeup. A long shower has no effect on my eyeshadow. So even though we all know that the packaging is ridiculously ineffective (grrrrr) and it's a little overpriced, I still can't imagine not having this in my makeup bag.

4. Urban Decay 24-7 Liner in Rockstar

This is the only eyeliner that I'll use. It comes in a great range of colors, glittery and non-glittery, it lasts forever, and the color doesn't fade. The 24-7 thing is a bit of a stretch, but if I didn't remove this stuff at night it would probably stay on for two or three days (for serious). And Rockstar is the perfect color for hazel eyes. It's just dark enough to give definition, but the purple is much softer than black and brings out the green in my eyes. Love!

5. MAC Tendertones Tinted Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink

Because everyone gets chapped lips, and this is much more glamorous than Chapstick. I realize the pot isn't very hygenic, but if I'm on a desert island, I don't think hygene will be my biggest problem. It's the perfect pink color, it smells and tastes like sugar cookies, and it has SPF 15 (totally practical).