Unless you live under a rock, you've probably heard of the current Zoya promo. If you have an account with Zoya already (you always need to make an account before they release their promos) you can go to the promo code section and see one for a 'buy one, get two free' code. You pay for one $8 polish and shipping (comes out to around $14) and you get $24 worth of polish. Woohoo!
Zoya Armor Top Coat, $8 at zoya.com: Now what I did (I was very proud of this idea) was get a top coat and 2 polishes. Zoya is on the eco-friendlier side of polishes, and the polish tends not to work as well with chemical heavy top coats, like my favorite, Seche Vite. I get average wear time with that top coat. However, I hear that with the Zoya top coat you can get like 7-9 days before it starts chipping, which is AMAZING. So I got that.
Zoya Roxy, $8 at zoya.com, Zoya Neeka, $8 at zoya.com: As far as nail polish goes, I got Roxy and Neeka. Roxy is a sheer red-toned purple base with bright purple glitter. I have a ton of glitter nail polishes, but none that are medium berries, so obviously I had to buy this. I like sheer jelly glitters, because they make the glitter seem to float in the polish. The deepness of the berry gives it a little more maturity than the average glitter, and all the glitter makes it great in a Disney princess kind of way. And Neeka is a greyed amethyst with subtle red duochrome shimmer and bright gold glitter. It actually reminds me of Katherine of Aragon by Rescue Beauty Lounge, with it's dusty lavender base with glitter. I love that the base here is such a soft, pretty, romatic/Jane Austen-approved color, but the red duochrome and gold glitter add a glam, modern twist.
On a totally random note, I was thinking about what to wear to a summer wedding the other day. And then I realized that other people probably have the same question, so I thought I'd mention it.
J. Crew Arabelle Silk Chiffon Dress, $225 at jcrew.com: J. Crew is the source for wedding/bridesmaid dresses. I love this little coral number. The ruching/draping on the bodice is very flattering, as are the cinched waist and sweetheart neckline, and the a-line skirt hides any sins. You could take this all sweet with a white satin ribbon around the waist and nude peep toe platforms with pearl earrings, or you could take it a little edgier and do a dark grey patent leather belt and peep toe platforms with a statement cuff bracelet. Either way, it's demure enough for a wedding but still fun enough to make that open bar work for you.
Images via zoya.com, jcrew.com.
Blargh I'm supposed to be sleeping right now but I am so, so bad at sleeping. Really. It's top 10 on my list of things I am terrible at. So instead I've been trolling the J. Crew website, and I found these two adorable dresses.
Paradisa Dress, $168 at jcrew.com, Ramona Dress, $225 at jcrew.com: This first dress...so.cute. So cute. I wants. I like that the shape is very simple and lingerie-inspired, a little 1940s, a little slip-like. The basic cotton is simple and versatile, but the coral-red floral embroidery adds a whole other level of luxury and visual interest. I love that the pattern is at once classic and modern in how abstract and geometric it is. It's like a deconstructed toile. Plus the fitted, with the close-cut bodice and fit and flare skirt, is extremely flattering on almost any body type. J. Crew styled it nicely, with the slightly masculine belt. I'd add a fitted little cardigan in say, a cobalt or navy blue, and maybe a set of skinny bangles. As for the other dress, J. Crew totally owns when it comes to versatile, flattering bridesmaid-esque dresses. This is a fab bridesmaid dress. The cut is insanely flattering. A deep-neck elongates the neck, flatters existing cleavage, and emphasizes cleavage if you don't have as much, the wrapped waist creates and hourglass silhouette, and the ruching hides a multitude of sins. I'd get this in black. I like the idea of black bridesmaid dresses, and you could style them adorably with crystal/rhinestone jewelry and jewel-tone heels. Plus it's the kind of dress you can wear to work, to cocktails, to a wedding, etc, etc.
Images via jcrew.com.
So that Rent The Runway thing I mentioned a few weeks ago...it came today. It shipped last night and I stalked it via UPS all day today. If you've forgotten, I got this Herve Leger dress and it IS AWESOME. It came in a big cardboard box in a garment bag and with a pre-paid envelope. Hehe. So exciting. The first time you rent a dress from a brand you get to try 2 sizes for free to see what size you are in that particular brand, so I got a small and a medium. I'm a size 4, and the small fits perfectly.
I've never worn an Herve Leger dress before. I've heard a lot about how they're so tight and restricting and hard to wear and all that, but this is really comfy. It's basically thick spandex, so it does do a little sucking in, but it's hardly like being mummified in elastic. I love this dress. I want to marry it and have its babies. It's a great length, it fits like a glove, it's a lovely vibrant purple that isn't too bright, and the cut is very flattering. I love me a sweetheart neckline, the straps are thick enough to wear a bra with, and basically it's a whole lot of awesome.
I decided to get a little crazy and throw on a fur stole with it. I feel like a very expensive call girl.
So clearly the dress is GREAT. Seriously. I am eBaying Herve Leger dresses right now. About the Rent the Runway process in general: I like that I get the tracking number for the package, so I can stalk it to my heart's content, and I like that the return envelope is pre-paid. I like that I get to keep the garment bag the dresses come in. I don't like that the 'fit kit,' with double-stick tape and all that, didn't come as promised. However, the overall process has been very smooth. You get the dress on the day your rental starts and you drop it off in the mail box by noon on the day your rental ends (so you really have it for 3 nights). You pay for $12 insurance in case you spill something on it, snag a hem, etc, but if you royally mess up the dress you pay for it all.
It bothered me at first to pay for a dress I don't get to keep. But, once I thought about, I realized that I have a lot of formal dresses that I've worn once or twice, and I've spent more than the $100 I spent renting this dress on those formal dresses. So in the end, it's a pretty good deal for me, or anyone else who likes dresses that are out of their budget and wants something pretty to wear for one night out. Also, if you do it with a friend you can get a discount (woohoo).
So, would I do it again? DEFINITELY. For my birthday for sure. It's a small price to pay for looking and feeling like a million bucks for a night, and it's a pretty easy, low risk system to use.
I'm thinking about finding summer jobs right now, and the sad thing is, when I think about sumer, I think about shopping. And you all know that I love shopping. Definitely too much. Here are my two favorite things I found perusing around today:
Foley + Corinna Jet Set Bag, $495 at shopbop.com, Alice + Olivia Nicola Fitted Dress, $297 at shopbop.com: I've wanted this bag since 8th grade. No joke. It was actually between this one and the one I got (the city tote) when I bought it, after having saved up all my money FOREVER. The city tote won out, but I still have a soft spot for this baby. I love the structured shape, and how it contrasts with the slightly edgier details, like the buckles and zippers. It's just the right size for all my junk, and the leather on these Foley + Corinna bags ages so, so well. Plus it has a handy shoulder strap so you can wear it two ways. If you can't tell, I want it again. On another fab note, there's this Alice + Olivia leopard dress. I love me some leopard, and I love me some body-con dresses, and when you put them together--DOUBLE LOVE. It's almost too much, but since the cut of the dress is so simple I think it works, no?
Images via shopbop.com.
So this isn't my exact go-to ensemble, but it's very similar. This is what I'd wear to the family Xmas or holiday dinner, where you want to look nice and put together but it isn't as formal as say, a cocktail party. For me, when I think of holiday colors I think of red and green. I don't like to wear both at the same time, and red is just more festive to me than green, so I usually go with red, and mix it with some other wintery colors, like white, gold, and silver.
Erin Fetherston for Juicy Couture Embellished Scoop Neck Top, $158 at shopbop.com, American Apparel Interlock Pencil Skirt in Cranbery, $32 at americanapparelstore.com: I love this tee/pencil skirt combo because it's really, really comfortable but it's very flattering and it looks very polished. The skirt is the perfect shade of deep, cranberry red, and you can fold over the top easily to get it the right length for you (plus it's less than $35!!!). This dolman top tucked into the skirt will make you waist look teensy in contrast with the wide sleeves, and the draping of the top goes so nicely against the clean lines of the skirt. Plus that embellished neckline is so festive and party-ready.
Halston Heritage Skinny Sash Belt, $75 at shopbop.com, Jeffrey Campbell Tabitha Lace Platform Pumps, $130 at shopbop.com: I'd add this metallic belt to jazz it up even more, and draw the eye straight to your waist. It's really long, so it wraps around the waist like a sash, which gives it an unexpectedly formal twist. I. Love. These. Shoes. They're a little on the strippery side, but the black color palette keeps them from being too racy. The platform makes them comfy, and the lace paneling is so elegant and offbeat.
And if you really want to be the star of the night, bring a plate of these chocolate crinkle cookies. I left out the cherries and added some extra chocolate chips and some cayenne pepper instead to make them Mexican chocolate style. They're delicious, really easy to make, and the perfect combination of gooey and crispy. Trust me, you'll be very popular.
Images from shopbop.com, americanapparelstore.com, shopbop.com, shopbop.com.
Sorority rush is a tricky thing. Sisters work so, so hard to make it seem natural and spontaneous when you're in a house, but the truth is that there are months and months (literally) of planning that go into that week of events. Speaking as a sister going through it right now, it's much more intense than it looks. As a rushee, when you only get 10 or 15 minutes to make a good impression on someone you have to realize that how you've presented yourself, with your clothes/hair/makeup, will factor into that a lot. Because honestly, how much about someone can you leave from 10 minutes of conversation? I can learn more about you from looking at your outfit for 30 seconds.
Now, my school has a fairly informal rush, but we do ask you to dress a certain way and in different sorts of outfits on different days. The guidelines that potential sisters get are much more vague than the guidelines we get as initiated sisters, but your best bet is to dress how we dress. What we're told to do is dress like we're going out to a nice dinner with friends and family--fashion forward but not too trendy, not frumpy but not overexposed, and dressing it up a little with rich hues, luxe textures, and classy jewelry. The one thing you have to keep in mind is that for most schools, like mine, rush is in winter. It's COLD. So a cute little sundress won't cut it when you're standing outside in the snow. You want to balance the cute and the practical. Here's what I'd recommend as a formula for a less formal rush:
Juliet & Company Champagne Pearl Stud Earrings, $20 at shopbop.com, Joie Bittersweet B Top, $168 at shopbop.com: As far as jewelry goes, you don't want to do anything crazy here that will distract people from you and what you're trying to convey about yourself. I'd recommend going for a simple pair of posts and maybe a small pendant necklace. I like these earrings because pearl studs are so stereotypical sorority, but this pair is fun because they're such a flattering shade of pink and slightly oversized and glam. Now, on to tops. I'd really skip the skirts and try jeans and a top. You can go two routes here: do a more statementy top and then just your coat on top, or do a more basic top with a cute little cardigan. For a bolder top, I love this Joie blouse. The red is so classically chic, the ruffles add a sweetly girly twist, and the cut is extremely flattering for almost all body types.
J. Crew Dulphine Bling-Button Cardigan, $39.99 down from $69.50 at jcrew.com, J. Crew Vintage Cotton Sunburst Tank, $58 at jcrew.com: Or if you want to go the more neutral top route, I love this tank/cardigan pairing. I wouldn't do a tank without something on top because it's a dangerous slippy slope into exposed bra straps and equally un-classy things. This top is basic and white, but the sunburst detailing keeps it chic and interesting. The deep green cardigan warms it up with a flattering jewel tone, and the bling buttons just scream cute. A fitted cardigan like this is great for layering over a flowier tank to give it some straight.
J. Brand High Rise Skinny Jeans, $216 at shopbop.com, Frye Melissa Button Boots, $318 at shopbop.com: Jeans can be hard. I'd really go for a high-waisted pair here because they'll suck in any problem areas, and won't run you the risk of any accidental exposure like low-rise jeans. I like a dark wash and a slim cut because it's really flattering, and the slim cut makes it easier to tuck into boots. Boots are a great option because they're practical for the weather and they immediately make you look a little more dressed up with minimal effort.
Images all from shopbop.com.
I want so many things from Shopbop right now, but these two are really catching my eye.
Dolce Vita Hawk Lace Up Clog Booties with Shearling Cuff, $265 at shopbop.com: I'm really craving these sort of bootie/clog/mountain shoe combinations right now, especially ones with shearling lining that lace up the front. Like this pair! The high, thin heel keeps it all girly and sexy, the laces add a rugged twist, the shearling keeps it mildly practical, and the overall package would look fab with jeans and a jacket or a wintry dress and a sweater.
Twenty8Twelve Beaux Dress, $365 at shopbop.com: I love, love, love the jaunty silhouette of this dress. The skirt is so a-line and so full, it would make anyone into an hourglass bombshell. The square neckline draws the eye straight to your collarbone, and the deep back with zipper detail takes it from proper to slightly dangerous. This is a great holiday season dress because you can style it a ton of different ways for different parties: do a jewel-toned heel and a sparkly belt for a girlier look, big statement earrings and some big metallic platforms for an edgier look, etc.
Images from shopbop.com.
And by things that I want to buy for other people, I really mean things that I want to buy for myself.
Victoria's Secret Tank & Yoga Set, $49.50 at victoriassecret.com: This is such a great 'lounging around in my room pretending to study for finals' outfit that one, is adorable, two, wouldn't shame you if you had to walk down to do laundry or grab a snack, and three, works equally well as separates. It comes a bunch of different colors, and I can say from personal experience that their yoga pants are fab AND actually great for doing yoga in.
LUSH Christmas Tweets gift set, $27.95 at lushusa.com: Lush has fab holiday gift sets. They're all holiday themed and come pre-wrapped in these adorable boxes. This one has Snowcake soap, Vanilla Fountain bath bomb, Smitten hand creme, and Lil Pud bath bomb. It's great for anyone who loves taking baths, and that soap will last forever.
LUSH Christmas Candy Box, $39.95 at lushusa.com: This gift set has Snow Fairy shower gel, Candy Cane bubble bar, Rockstar soap, Honey I Washed the Kids soap, Bubblegum lip scrub and Snow Fairy lip tint. This would be great for any girly girl, with all the pink and super-sweet scents (the honey soap literally smells like candy), and I love how well the products coordinate. Also, I'm dying to try a bubble bar--they're like concentrated bubble bath. Someone buy me this? Please?
Essie 2010 Winter Collection 6 Pc Cube, $25.95 at amazon.com: This is a great deal. Essie's usually run about $8, and here you get 6 full-sized bottles. So you're basically saving $20 and getting some fab colors. This includes Smoking Hot, a mauvey grey, Masquerade Belle, a vampy red jelly, Silken Cord, a fiery orange red, Going Incognito, a forest green, Hot Coco, which is exactly what it sounds like, and Luxedo, a very dark vampy purple.
Too Faced Pixie Perfect, $42 at sephora.com: I love holiday sets. This is such a steal. You get the adorable bag (so great for traveling), an eyeshadow quad with Velvet Revolver, Enchanted Forest, Totally Toasted, and Peach Fuzz, a Papa Don't Peach blush and Sun Bunny bronzer, Shadow Insurance primer, Glamour Gloss in Plush, and Lash Injection mascara. That's $110 of product for less than half of that price. Such a win.
Philosophy Share the Joy Set, $36 at sephora.com: Speaking of great holiday sets, this has matching shower gels and lip glosses in Candy Cane, Cinnamon Buns, Bubbly (champagne), and Peppermint Bark. I love this because you get to try a lot of the Philosophy scents for not a lot of money, and heck, even 4 lipglosses for $36 is a good deal. Through in the shower gels and you're making out like a bandit.
Images from victoriassecret.com, lushusa.com, lushusa.com, amazon.com, sephora.com, sephora.com.
I love Anthropologie for presents. I know most of their stuff is pretty pricey, but there are some great affordable finds if you can scrounge around a bit in the store (am I the only one that gets distracted by the tubs of pretty drawer pulls?). Here are some fun holiday presents that won't break the bank.
Monogrammed Mug, $6 at anthropologie.com, Lipstick Queen Medieval, $20 at anthropologie.com: These cups make great gifts because they're sweet and personal, actually practical, and look like they cost a lot more than they actually do. I had one all last year until I shattered it (ahem), but they really do make great stocking stuffers. Or you could fill them with little gifts, like lip gloss, candies, etc and wrap it all in colored cellophane paper--adorable. This Lipstick Queen Medieval lippie has been haunting me. I want. It's a red, which terrifies me, but it goes on very sheer and gives you that just bitten look. Plus I'm kind of on a medieval kick right now, having just come off a medieval architecture research paper.
ToykoMilk Wrapped Soap, $11 at anthropologie.com, Illume Boulangerie Jar, $16 at anthropologie.com: ToykoMilk is fab. They have great packaging, and their products are top-notch with really creative scents. Yes, $11 is a lot for soap, but when the soap has notes of soft linden blossom, French lavender, honey, mimosa, and tea rose, you have to make some exceptions. This candle comes in Vanilla & Fig (nice and seasonal), Angel Food (for all you bakers), Sweet Vanilla & Cinnamon (OMG YUM), Apple Blossom (light and fresh), and Pineapple Ginger Cake (nom). The burn time is 40 hours, and the packaging is adorable. Buy this for people and they will think you are super swank and awesome and fancy.
Domino: The Book of Decorating, $32 at anthropologie.com, The Gospel According to Coco Chanel, $19.95 at anthropologie.com: If you don't know Domino, it was the best home decor magazine EVER. No joke. I have all the issues saved up at home. I may have teared up when I heard it was canceled. This book has some of their best shoots and ideas, and it will look chic on your bookcase to boot. I don't think this second one needs any explanation. Coco Chanel as a life coach? Yes, please.
Images from anthropologie.com.
Mostly pretty J. Crew things. J. Crew is seriously hitting it out of the park this season. Also they sell Essie and Bobbi Brown there now? Interesting.
Sandro Jet Lace-Trimmed Mini Skirt, $255 at net-a-porter.com, J. Crew Chunky Fairisle Funnelneck Sweater, $148 at jcrew.com: This skirt + holiday parties = match made in heaven. Dress it down with a white tee. Dress it up with a blouse. The options are endless, and the lace detail makes it much sassier than the usual pencil mini skirt. You guys know that I'm not a preppy person. Cable knits and pearls make me cringe. But some deep, pathogical part of me really wants to wear this Fairisle sweater with dark jeans and a pair of equestrian-inspired boots. I think it's the All American Girl collection. I'm irrationally drawn to that wholesome, Ralph Lauren-esque look.
Coquette Hobo in Shimmer Leather, $248 at jcrew.com: This really reminds me of this Stella McCartney bag in black. Except a zillion times cheaper. The combination of the leather/ribbon/chain handles is very Lanvin (love), the top has a turnlock, which is super convenient, and I love the construction. You can scrunch the sides up and down based on how much stuff you have in it, so you can go super slouchy or nice and structure. The slight sheen of the leather adds a nice glam twist, and makes black fun instead of boring.
Tinsel Bustier Dress, $695 at jcrew.com: I realize that this is a lot for a J. Crew dress. But it's limited edition and the tinsel is hand sewn to the skirt! Gosh I'm gullible. I just love the shape of it, with the voluminous skirt against the fitted bustier, and the contrast between the matte top and the high sheen of the skirt. It feels so festive and holiday party appropriate, but at the same time you could really wear it all year.
Images from net-a-porter.com, jcrew.com, jcrew.com, jcrew.com.
This post was my roommate's idea. I asked her if there was anything she'd want to see me post on, and apparently the idea of matching nail polish to an outfit is very stressful. Our room is special, what can I say. But I got to thinking about it and it can be hard to decide what nail polish to wear with an outfit, especially if you're like me and you own like a million nail polishes. It's all about contrast, people. So, without further ado:
The bright/printed outfit: Rebecca Taylor Strapless Dress, $163 at shopbop.com, Essie Mademoiselle: When you have a dress like this, where both the color and the print are doing all the talking, you don't want to make your nails fight with the dress. Clearly the dress will win. It's fricking pink tie-dye. What you want to do here is pick a basically neutral color that will complement the hues of the dress. Since the dress is so pink, I went with a pale pinky-nude. It looks very polished and chic, especially on short nails, and the pink goes well with the dress, but doesn't compete with it. That said, this isn't the only polish you could ever wear with this dress--you could do a light blue-grey, a pastel lavender, etc, etc.
The girly/white outfit: Madison Marcus Gilt V-Neck Dress with Belt, $305 at shopbop.com, OPI Lincoln Park After Dark: I really wanted this white dress to be girlier, but Shopbop failed me. Just imagine that it has ruffles or lace or something. White dresses themselves are very light and girly, and when you add in feminine detailing like ruching and the imaginary lace, you end up with something more Taylor Swift than modern and edgy. If you add a light, pretty polish on top of that, you start looking a little twee. Or like a cupcake. Here, I like to contrast the sweetness of the dress with a deep, vampy polish, and what's vampier than Lincoln Park After Dark? I wouldn't do shimmer here, just because shimmer itself is so girly, and we already have a lot of that going on.
And the edgy LBD: Veda Georgia Dress, $385 at shopbop.com, OPI Diva of Geneva: Last but not least, the classic dilemma: the LBD. I always want to liven up my LBD's with colorful accessories. Don't get me wrong, I love black, but too much black takes you into Taylor Momsen territory. My favorite polishes to do with black are jewel tones--they just look so rich together. I like Diva of Geneva for this because the pinkish-purple hue and the shimmer add a little punch and girliness to this edgy LBD, but it isn't so bright that it looks out of place against the dress.
Images from shopbop.com, mandalzying.blogspot.com, shopbop.com, makeupandbeautyblog.com, shopbop.com, mbeautylounge.com.
I'd like to introduce something I like to call the perfume equation. It goes something like this.
Cute dress + skanktastic perfume = skanky outfit
Cute dress + tasteful perfume = chic outfit.
I see in on campus every weekend, and I'm looking at you, freshmen. Let me explain. I think that sometimes people underestimate the effect of perfume. Even though you can't see it, perfume plays a huge role in how your outfit is perceived. Let's take a cute dress that could go in either the chic direction or the skanky direction, such as this Elizabeth and James dress:
Now let's say the girl wearing this dress decides to wear, say, Fairy Dust by Paris Hilton.
Even though the dress is only mildy lingerie-inspired, an overly sweet, tacky scent like this pushes that girl's outfit into the cheap, skanktastic category.
Whereas, a perfume like Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle has a completely different effect.
With a slightly more sophisticated, less overwhelmingly sweet perfume, this dress gives off a totally different vibe. Instead of screaming slutty and "I'm trying way too hard," it says "yes, I am sexy, but I'm also elegant, complicated, and maybe a little bit mysterious." I know. It's a tough choice.
Image Sources:
Dress: net-a-porter.com.
Fairy Dust: beautyme.com.
Coco Mademoiselle: Tendance High-Tech
