As much as I love having fall fashion week in February, sometimes it gets frustrating. I get all excited about these clothes and styles that I won't be able to wear for six months. And then there's that awkward transition period between summer and fall where since it's September, you want to break out that cute new trench or chic pair of boots, but it's still 85+ degrees outside. It can be really difficult to put together outfits that are still appropriate for end of summer weather but incorporate fall trends. That's why I rounded up my favorite resort looks from the Resort and Fall 2009 collections for some transition dressing inspiration.
Rebecca Taylor, Jenni Kayne, Phillip Lim: These looks from Rebecca Taylor and Jenni Kayne have one of the easiest little transition styling tricks. Take a cute, drapey tank and a high-waisted skirt, a very summery outfit, and throw on a light cardigan or blazer with pushed up sleeves on top, and you get all the fun of a breezier look with a little extra coverage. This Phillip Lim look is a similar concept. The boho minidress gets an extra dose of warmth and fall's '80s obsession with the addition of an oversized furry vest. Tights or socks are another easy way to winterize the look.
Jenni Kayne Resort, Missoni, DSquared: This Jenni Kayne looks takes two fall trends, '80s and motorcycle/wide-collared jackets, and puts them in a practical transition outfit. The jacket adds warmth and edge to the basic tee/mini-skirt ensemble. I still love this look from Missoni. It's all knits, which have a definite fall/winter vibe, but since the knits are lightweight and in cool, easy to layer pieces. Layering is great for transitional weather, because you can easily add or subtract warmth to an outfit, and light layers like these add a lot of visual weight without bulk. This DSquared look is really easy to pull together, just a leather jacket and scarf over a mini-dress. The jacket and plaid scarf scream winter, but the short dress adds a summer element.
Proenza Schouler Resort, Preen Resort, Max Azria Resort: If you don't want to throw a jacket on top of your favorite summer mini-dress, another option is an oversized vest like at Proenza Schouler. It has a bit more of a rock and roll vibe, but it's just as wintery. Preen and Max Azria are just more examples of how throwing on a boyish blazer over a sexy mini or summery pants and a tee can totally transform an outfit. Blazers are a big thing for fall and add a good amount of warmth, but again, if the weather changes you can just take it off.
Stella McCartney Resort, Stella McCartney Resort, Moschino Cheap & Chic Resort: I really like this first piece. It's the perfect example of taking a very fall-like piece, an oversized sweater in a blown-up buffalo plaid, and styling it in a very summery warm by wearing it as a dress. You could do the same with any oversized cardigan; big sweaters scream fall, but the styling is fresh. This dress is the typical, serious holiday LBD. The sheer panel has a bit of a wintery vibe because it looks like extra coverage, even though it's not, and the asymmetrical detailing is very on-trend for fall, but the mini length makes it appropriate for that end of summer transition. And here we have one final example of the oversized cardigan over summery dress equation. I know it's repetitive, but hey, it works. How cute is that cardigan?
Image Sources:
Rebecca Taylor: style.com, Phillip Lim: style.com, Jenni Kayne: style.com, Jenni Kayne Resort: style.com, Missoni: style.com, DSquared: style.com, Proenza Schouler Resort: style.com, Preen Resort: style.com, Max Azria Resort: style.com, Stella McCartney Resort: style.com, Moschino Cheap & Chic Resort: style.com
I realize that I'm a terrible, terrible little blogger and that I fail at life and I'm sorry for not posting today. But in my defense I have this freakish cold-like thing and I had to go see Julie & Julia tonight because Julia Child is possibly my favorite person ever and it's a movie about blogging and food. Like two of my favorite things. I promise I'll post tomorrow/Sunday to make up for my failtasticness, but in the mean time, GO SEE JULIE AND JULIA. You will not regret it.
I'm in the middle of a massive college shopping spree. I need clothes! So many clothes! It's insane. Since I have to pay for all my stuff myself and have like zero storage space, I'm trying to stick to wardrobe staples that I can restyle and wear over and over. Obviously some of the stuff below isn't actually realistic, but if I had enough money to bathe in it, this is what I'd buy.
Gryphon Beaded Herringbone Peacoat, $565 at nordstrom.com, T by Alexander Wang Stretch One Shoulder Dress, $95 at shopbop.com, Christian Louboutin Hyper Prive 120 Pumps, $835 at net-a-porter.com: This is the perfect little jacket. The shape is swingy enough to work with more fitted silhouettes, but the cropped length and short sleeves mean that it'll work just as well with a-line dresses and skirts. The navy-gold color combo and double-breasted buttons are totally classic, but the stud-like detailing on the sleeves is very modern and just a little bit edgy. Yeah, it's like $600, but I feel like the cost per wear with this baby would be pretty low because I'd refuse to take it off. That T by Alexander Wang is less than $100. For serious. You'd probably have to wear full body Spanx underneath it, but still, that dress is hot. It hits the right balance between sexy and chic, and the one-shoulder silhouette looks just like all the $600 Alexander Wang dresses on the market. And think about all the ways you could wear this dress! You could layer it with a boyfriend cardigan for daytime, with a fab little trench, with some statement necklaces and killer pumps. It's so perfect. Don't even get me started on those pumps. Those are my dream pumps. I know basic black pumps aren't exactly dreaming big, but the patent leather and the platform sole totally make this shoe. This shoe is anything but boring, but could work with anything. And it's Christian Louboutin. How can you go wrong there?
Theory Maritza B Cardigan, $275 at shopbop.com, Frye Motorcycle Tote, $488 at shopbop.com, Madewell Wooly Checkered Scarf, $50 at shopbop.com: This cardigan is making my brain explode. It's like a boyfriend cardigan and a motorcycle jacket got together and had a baby, so you get all the edge of the jacket with all the coziness of the cardigan. It's so casually chic. The drama of the wide collar is very on trend, and it has a band across the back to hug the waist and give it shape. I die. I'm intrigued by this bag. I love Frye, so I'm predisposed to like all their stuff, and I like the vertical zipper detail on the body of the bag, but I think it should be balanced by a slouchier shape. And those ring handles are killing me. But I still kind of like the bag. I'm so confused. You guys know I'm a sucker for an over-sized scarf. The checkered print is a little kitschy and Americana, but the frayed, cheesecloth edges take it from retro to modern. The sheer, light fabric balances out the bulkiness of the scarf nicely, and how cute would it be to have the details of your top poking through the holes of the scarf? It would add so much visual interest to a basic outfit.
Image Sources:
Gryphon coat: nordstrom.com, T by Alexander Wang dress: shopbop.com, Christian Louboutin pumps: net-a-porter.com, Theory sweater: shopbop.com, Frye bag: shopbop.com, Madewell scarf: shopbop.com
So as most of you I'm sure have heard by now (or read) Rodarte is the newest designer (team really) to do a line for Target. As soon as the news broke, Megan and I instantly started texting each other and making plans on getting together over winter break to make a mad dash over to our nearest Target and buying everything from the 55 piece collection in sight. Our Target of choice just also happens to be the the Rodarte sisters' store of choice as well. I'm sure I've mentioned that before... Anyways, it is obviously going to be a collection of winter clothes and will involve items that have sequins, faux fur, and other really fun stuff. I DIEEEEE. Expect typical items like dresses, cardigans, skirts, shirts, and accessories. Don't worry. We're not going to hesitate in posting the preview pics as soon as they hit the world wide web.
And on a not so random side note, I was at Target last night shopping for more dorm stuff (I love office supplies!) and stumbled upon this adorable top. It's made out of jersey and is in a lovely bright and bold cobalt blue. It comes in other colors as well but there just wasn't anything about those that looked too great. The top looks a lot more expensive than the $15 it cost, so I would say it's a pretty good deal. It's easy to style and simple enough to wear everyday but also frilly enough to dress up. I can't find a photo online, so these will have to suffice. And I know my photos are really dark, but the one on the right is the most accurate in terms of color.
If you've been reading the blog for awhile, you've probably noticed that I never talk about mascara (without totally ripping it to pieces, that is). Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of mascara. Who doesn't want fluffy lashes? I just feel like it's better in theory than reality. See, in my naive brain, waterproof used to mean waterproof, that my mascara would actually last throughout the day without running, flaking, etc. But Dior Show, Bad Gal, Hypnose, and a bunch of other Sephora waterproof mascaras have proved that wrong. It's not like I run around bawling all day. I just wear contacts, so I have to use eye drops, and apparently those eye drops eat waterproof mascara for breakfast. It's really frustrating. All I wanted was a subtle, WATERPROOF mascara, and I thought I had that in Boots Botanicals Waterproof Mascara. Unfortunately, that turned out to be a little too subtle. I have pretty good natural lashes, so something that only enhances them a little bit isn't really worthwhile in my hectic, overslept morning. I wanted waterproof, but with drama. So I took a chance and searched out Max Factor's Lash Perfection Volume Waterproof Couture Mascara (that's a mouthful).
It's $7.79 at ulta.com and I'd buy it there, because it's ridiculously hard to track down. The price is great (that's less than two trips to Starbucks), and the packaging is definitely drugstore, but the sleek black is still chic and the spotlight logo adds a bit of glamor. I really like how the brush comes outside the tube of mascara, which has it's own little lid, so you can wash the brush and store it separately when you aren't using it, reducing flaking and bacteria growth. The ads make a big deal out of the brush, but it seems like any rubber brush to me.
Now for the application. The thin, spidery bristles get mascara to every lash, but even with wiggling I get some clumping. It's not bad at all and I can fix it in a few seconds, but it is noticeable. The clumping also means that it dries a little gritty on my lashes. You can't tell by looking at it, but it makes my lashes more stiff and scratchy feeling than soft and glossy. But, even without a lash curler, this stuff makes my lashes curl like crazy. They almost look like falsies. I got it in Rich Black, and it darkens my lashes to sooty black and adds a good amount of length and a decent amount of volume. I think if it was any more dramatic it would make me uncomfortable on a daily basis (but I'm crazy, so take that with a grain of salt). As for the waterproofness, I'd give it a 4/5. It didn't survive a shower, but it did survive a day of sweat and eye drops with only minimal flaking. I'm going to skip applying it to the lower lash line next time to see if the flaking issue is resolved.
Overall, this stuff is a winner. Yes, it gets a little clumpy, isn't technically waterproof, and flakes a little, but it's the most waterproof "waterproof" mascara I've found that actually makes a difference in the way my lashes look, and does all that for under $8.
Image Sources:
Max Factor mascara: drugstore.com
Alright, so more from my Ulta field trip. I'd never been there before (I know, I know, I fail at life), and it was a little overwhelming. Those stores are huge! The setup isn't quite as nice as Sephora, but I love how they combine drugstore brands like Maybelline and upscale brands like Stila and Benefit with practical items like deodorant. Not to mention all the skincare, haircare, and tools/appliances. It's kind of like beauty mecca. If they carried MAC (which is unrealistic, I know), I'd move in there.
Ulta Eyeshadow, $7.00 at ulta.com, Maybelline Dream Matte Powder, $6.49 at drugstore.com:
I ended up buying two shadows, a pressed powder, and one other thing you'll hear about tomorrow--get excited! The shadows were buy one, get one free, so basically they were $3.50 each, which is an awesome deal. I really wanted two semi-matte, versatile contouring shades, and I picked Vogue, a muddy purple, and Suede (which is a little deeper and dirtier than the picture), a medium, sandy brown with gold undertones and a hint of taupe. Both shadows are slightly frosty with mild shimmer. I got Vogue because while I love Nocturnelle, it's a bit bright for daytime at work. Vogue is dark enough to contour and line, but still has just enough purple to bring out the green in my eyes and look softer than say, black or dark brown. I blend it into the lashline and just into the crease for natural-looking definition. I got Suede because it's a little lighter than Romp, so I can blend them together nicely, and because it's a little darker than Wedge, so it gives a good amount of crease definition. I think both of these shadows were a great deal, but I'm not going to stop going to MAC anytime soon. Ulta shadows are decently pigmented, long lasting, and easy to blend, but not nearly as finely-milled or smooth as MAC's shadows. But I wanted these to be a cheaper alternative to my MAC shadows that I could wear during the day, when I'm outside, etc, and they definitely succeed at that.
I picked up the Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Light 4-5 as an alternative to my Stila Sheer Pressed Powder. The Stila powder is about $22 more than the Maybelline powder, and my Stila powder just shattered when I dropped it six inches, so I really wanted this to work. The compact is kind of bulky and unattractive because of the slide-out bottom compartment with a cheap puff applicator and a mirror. I never use those included puff things, so personally I think the whole bottom half of the compact is useless. The powder itself is a total knockout, though. The Stila powder was great, but it could get a little chalky, especially if I reapplied it. This Maybelline powder looks too pale in the compact, but goes on totally sheer. It seems even more finely milled than the Stila powder, it goes on looking totally airbrushed, sets my makeup, and keeps it on all day. It doesn't keep the oilies at bay all day long, but it does just as good a job at that as the $28 powder, and would be perfect if I reapplied it midday. Overall, I have nothing negative to say about the powder itself. It's kind of amazing. I'm a Maybelline convert and I really want to try the Dream Mousse Blush next...
Image Sources:
Ulta shadows: ulta.com, Maybelline powder: drugstore.com
It's going to be a beauty week on Awkward Chic. Partially because I had a little Ulta field trip this weekend (more about that later) and partially because all I can wear to work are running shorts and tank tops, so clothes aren't really on my mind at the moment. Makeup is easier to play with on a daily basis, especially when I'm wearing sunglasses all day and can get away with a smoky purple eye. It keeps me entertained. :)
My BFFster Emily convinced me to go get a mani/pedi this weekend, and while I did something really neutral on my fingernails because that mani will last about three days at work, I had fun with my pedicure color. I've been itching to try a poppy, orange-red for about the last six months, and I finally went for it with Essie's One of a Kind polish. It's a little more subdued than the swatch on the left and a little brighter than it looks on my toes.
I really like this polish because it hits on so many trends. It's bright, so there's a bit of neon going on, it's got a little '40s inspired classic red thing going on, and it's totally summery. I'd call it 60% orange and 40% red. It's like someone turned a California Poppy into a nail polish. It livens up my pasty white feet, and it also looks good with a tan (I checked it against my arms, which practically look Italian right now), so I think it'll work with a wide range of skin tones. Plus, it's Essie, so the pigmentation and lasting power are pretty good. I'm officially calling this my perfect pedicure color.
Essie's One of a Kind polish, $8.00 at essie.com.
Image Sources:
First Essie swatch: stephscloset.com
I would probably sell my kidney to get my hands on one of those Balmain military jackets (they grow back, right?). I mean, they hit on the current '80s resurgence with a bit of the ever-popular military vibe, and if Michael Jackson wore them for the last 20 years and the Beatles loved them, these Sgt. Pepper jackets must have some longevity. The only downside to the look is the pricetag. A real Balmain jacket will run you upwards of a $1,000. Obviously, you're buying the quality of the materials and the construction, but still, $1,000 is a lot for a Sgt. Pepper jacket. Enter AKA New York:
AKA New York Admirals Jacket, $325 at shopbop.com: I'm sure they won't be the only brand ripping off Balmain come fall, but they are one of the first. Note the similarity between the middle jacket and the AKA New York jacket on the right. Sure, the AKA New York jacket is missing the strong shoulders of the Balmain, but that might make it more wearable in the long run. It's also without the sequin bling and snazzy trim of the designer version, but that's what you get for $700 less. The overall shape and idea of the chest detail are the same, the sleeves are the same flattering 3/4 length and the notched collar opens up the neck and face in the same way.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy Balmain. By all means, do it if you can (and send me pictures!). But if you're like me, sometimes it's better to settle for less.
Image Sources:
all Balmain: style.com, AKA New York jacket: shopbop.com
Personally, I think some of the best stuff comes from England. The best accents, the best clothes (hello Stella McCartney and Matthew Williamson), and now, some of the best makeup. Illamasqua is a two year old European import that seems like to British equivalent to MAC, with a bit of a dark, theatrical, Cabaret-esque twist. Sephora just picked them up online, and their stuff should be in stores by this Fall (which is way too long to wait, if you ask me). This definitely isn't makeup for the wallflower. It's hardcore, heavy drama, center of attention stuff. Which is totally up my alley, so you know I'm freaking out. Here are the top six products I'm the most excited for:
Sealing Gel, $12 at sephora.com, Powder Eye Shadow, $20 at sephora.com, Nail Varnish, $14 at sephora.com: I think this sealing gel is an interesting concept. You mix it with any powder, pigment, or shadow to create a sort of long-lasting liquid liner. It's not the kind of thing I'd use everyday, but if there was, say, a MAC pigment that you wanted to use as a liner or a specific shadow you wanted to make a cat-eye with, this would be the perfect product. At first I wasn't that excited about the Illamasqua shadows. They're like, 90% mattes, and I immediately wrote them off as boring. But then I realized, matte shadows are the perfect thing for the crease or an intense smoky eye. Sometimes sparkles and shimmer just aren't the right message, and mattes look more like natural contours and shadows than frosts or shimmers. I want Bronx, Forgiveness, Drama, Moonflower, Preen, Tango, and Wolf, they're decently priced, and from what I hear, the lasting power and pigmentation is insane. The range of colors for their polish is insane. There are no pale pinks or corals here, it's all neons and sparkles and crazy awesomeness. My favorites are Baptiste, this deep purple, and Phallic (no comment), this glittery navy, and Whack, a bright orange-poppy. It's not the cheapest polish, but it's so pigmented that you only need one or two coats, which is how I'm rationalizing buying it. It makes sense. In my head.
Satin Primer SPF 20, $28 at sephora.com, Illuminator, $18 at sephora.com, Liquid Metal, $24 at sephora.com: I'm still on the hunt for a good primer without silicone. There are more eco-friendly, low key, silicone free primers out there, but none of them seem to get the job done. I'm excited for this primer because it promises a dewy glow, it's silicone-free, it has SPF, and since it's Illamasqua, it's going to be hardcore (and if your primer's not hardcore, really, what's the point?). It's just as hard to find a good highlighter as it is to find a good primer. I want one that's creamy (it looks more natural than powder), warm, and shimmery, not sparkly. It has a wet-dry finish and comes in a whole color spectrum, so there's one for every skin tone. I want it in Halycon, ivory pearl, or Odyssey, pearly white, and since it's only $18, I may have to get both. For research. You understand. I saved my favorite product for last. Liquid Metal is a cross between a highlighter and a cream shadow. It comes in gold and copper, and it looks insane. The metallic sheen on this is unbelievable. It really looks like metal. But the best part is, you can apply it more sheerly for a subtle pearl or layer it on for gold-plated lids.
I just wish they had Illamasqua in my Sephora. It looks highly pigmented, decently priced, and comes in insane colors. The only downside is that I can't see it in person. I do have to give Sephora props for being one of the first people to carry it in the US, though.
Image Sources:
Sealing Gel: sephora.com, Eyeshadow: sephora.com, Baptiste polish: alllacqueredup.com, Phallic polish: temptalia.com, Primer: sephora.com, Illuminator: sephora.com, Liquid Metal: sephora.com
I finally got Maud addicted to True Blood. I'm telling you, it took about 6 months of convincing for that to happen, but she got conned into it on my birthday and now she's hooked. So I'm sure she won't mind me doing another post about True Blood. Season 2 just started about 6 weeks ago, and there are a whole new bunch of hair, makeup, and wardrobe ensembles that I'm dying to try. I rounded up a few of my favorites for you guys.
I'm not really feeling the dress here (it's bandana print?!), but I'm in love with the hair! It reminds of that stiff, Grace Kelly inspired swoop that Kate Winslet did for the Oscars, but I love it so much more here. I think the softness of the curls at the bottom balances out the structure at the crown perfectly, and the flowers pinning back the side are just too cute. The red lip keeps it a little retro, but the dramatic liner stops it from looking costumey.
I think Anna Paquin's little J. Crew-ish cardigan skirt combo is darling. The whole look is very retro--I mean, it's a fitted cardigan and an a-line skirt--but the loose, slightly messy curls freshen it up.
This girl is probably my favorite character. Her hair is FANTASTIC. I wants it. And the makeup department has this whole soft smokey eye thing going on that I'm really feeling. That sundress is a repeat from Season 1, and I still love it.
More pretty, curly hair. It's times like this that I wish my hair would, you know, actually hold a curl. Sigh.
I think the key to the wardrobe here is mixing retro, Americana-inspired pieces with more modern basics, and the makeup seems like lots of soft, smokey eyes topped off with berry lip gloss. I'm thinking something like this Mara Hoffman Gathered Party Dress, $392 at shopbop.com, this Smashbox Eyelights Palette in Smokebox, $34 at sephora.com, and Nars Lip Gloss in Stella, $24 at sephora.com. The dress has a slightly retro, swingy shape with the defined waist, but the geometric, asymmetrical print and mini-length make it very of the moment. This palette has an ivory highlighter, a taupe base, and dark black to use as a liner/contour for the perfect smokey eye, and Stella lip gloss is actually much more vibrant in person. It's a lovely, subtle raspberry shade with great lasting power.
Image Sources:
all True Blood pics from true-blood.net, Mara Hoffman dress: shopbop.com, Smashbox palette: sephora.com, Nars Stella: amazon.com
