Scroll down for Kristen Stewart's eye look after the random shopping cravings.
Claflin, Thayer, and Co. Tiled Clutch, $210 at claflinthayerandco.bigcartel.com, Claflin, Thayer, and Co. Studded Clutch, $145 at claflinthayerandco.bigcartel.com, Kimchi Blue Studded Waistband Skirt, $68 at urbanoutfitters.com: Mmm. These clutches. Yum yum yum. Yun. As you all know, I'm a big fan of over-sized clutches. I'm also a big fan of leather, and a huge fan of studs. These are like the trifecta of clutch awesomeness. The first clutch is a more subtle option because it's covered in studs, but the design almost makes it look a mosaic and the tassel adds a quirky, bohemian vibe. The second clutch is more rock and roll because the studs themselves are more noticeable. Since they're so different, you should get both! Just kidding. Haha...going off the leather/studs thing, I love the waistband on this skirt. It totally negates the need to wear a belt, and it's the kind of subtle detail that elevates an entire outfit. Love the convenient pockets, too.
Ecote Chiffon Studded Tank, $58 at urbanoutfitters.com, Rebecca Taylor Bra Cup Dress, $325 at shopbop.com, A.L.C. Madame Dress with Belt, $448 at shopbop.com: Wow, I forgot how many studs I put in this post. I think this is such an adorable going-out top because the studs are simultaneously edgy and delicately feminine in the henley-esque detailing and bib necklace effect. I love the contrasts of this floral dress. The bra-top is very aggressive and giving me a bit of a Madonna vibe, and the fabric is the epitome of reserved girliness. You could dress it down with a cardigan for daytime or weekend and gussy it up with some hard-edged heels and a tangle of necklaces for night time. I know this last dress looks a little frumpy from that angle, but the detailing is so exquisite. There's a removable leather belt, the exposed zipper on the side, and all that asymmetrical draping is so on-trend. I think this would work if you were really tall, so that the reserved neckline and volume at the hips were balanced out by the mini length.
I heart the eye makeup look on Kristen Stewart on the November cover of allure. It's an unexpected mix of warm brown and cool grey, which sounds like a crazy, clashing mess, but is so absolutely gorgeous and flattering on. Scroll down for how I replicated this look.
Allure did not give all the details about the products used. They don't even mention liner in the magazine, or how they obviously used a lighter, shimmery shadow in the inner corners on top of the grey. So I winged it. Always start with a primer (I love Urban Decay's Primer Potion) and some sort of base (try Benefit's Creaseless Shadow/Liner in Birthday Suit). The easiest part is the black liner. Line the waterline with Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner in Zero, $17 at sephora.com. It's one of the few liners that actually stays on the water line, and boy, is it black. Make sure you connect the lower and upper waterlines at the corner of the eye, and if you're feeling adventurous you can even wing out the liner a little. Next, smudge a deep, dove-grey shadow into the lashline. I used Sonia Kashuk's shadow in Night (pick it up at Target). Then take a crease brush, and brush a dark brown shadow like Nars Shadow in Galapagos, $22 at sephora.com, across the lid, into the crease (going a little above the brow bone and extending a bit beyond the eye--see how her shadow goes out in a triangular shape beyond the outside of her eyes?), and below the lower lashline. Then load up a bit of a light, silvery taupe like MAC's Style Snob, $14.50 at maccosmetics.com, on the crease brush, and run it over the tear ducts at the inner corner of the eye and on the inner half of the upper and lower lashlines. Put on a few coats of mascara--Max Factor's Waterproof Volume Couture is a classic--and you'll be turning heads in no time.
Image Sources:
Claflin, Thayer, and Co. Studded Leather Clutch: claflinthayerandco.bigcartel.com, Claflin, Thayer, and Co. Tiled Bag: claflinthayerandco.bigcartel.com, Kimchi Blue skirt: urbanoutfitters.com, Ecote tank: urbanoutfitters.com, Rebecca Taylor dress: shopbop.com, A.L.C. dress: shopbop.com, Allure cover: twilight-movie.org, Urban Decay liner: 1.bp.blogspot.com, Nars Galapagos: makeupforlife.net, MAC Style Snob: 4.bp.blogspot.com.
I haven't posted (myself, Maud. Hi, remember me?) for a really long time. Like at least a month. I don't even know what the last thing I posted about was. Crazy. But I'm back. At least for the time being. I've just been so busy. College life is SO hectic (usually in the best way possible, of course). Sorry to abandon you, but I'm pretty sure Megan's been keeping you all in good company in the mean time.
But anyway, back to the main reason for this post: I JUST MET THE SARTORIALIST. Yes, the Sartorialist. And I gotta tell you, he's short. Like really short. Like... well I'm not going to go there because I don't want to hurt his feelings. But that's besides the point. Back to the story. So. Originally I wasn't going to be able to go because I couldn't get a ride, but turns out I was able to go with a friend's sister. So bitchin. Basically once we're able to drive across town we get there and there's barely anyone there. We arrived early but not that early, like an hour and a half or so. I mean, we were expecting a huge massive gigantic line (don't worry, it came later). So we decided to hang in the food court which was right next the terrace where the book signing was being held. (Ironic, no? Fashion people by a food court) So after a certain point, the really hard core fashionistas begin to waddle in. It was so obviously easy to tell who was who, I mean most people don't get dressed up to go to the mall, even if it is the Beverly Center. Then, after my friend and I finished our baked potatoes (à la Steak & Potato) the man himself walks right by us. In the food court. Everyone who knows just how important this guy is turns to whispering. I was highlarious. I think more than anything, we were surprised at how sort he was. He was also walking with an assistant who at first we thought was Garance, but alas it was just his publicist or something.Eventually a line began to form and we (and by that I mean my new fashanista pals. So great and funny. Who knew you could make friends with people in LA? I mean I'm an angeleno through and through but I was pretty shocked. EVERYBODY was super friendly. One guy decided that that was just the kind of crowd he draws. Sweet.) made a mad dash to be in the front. We were some of the first people to go out on the terrace and man, let me tell you, it was so chic. You could see all of Downtown and part of the basin, there were these great (albeit slightly wet) plush benches, and some of his photos postered on the walls. Yes, I just made postered a word. It's a verb now.
After waiting a pretty short time in line, all my new girl pals and I got to go up to him and he signed our copies. Oh yeah, and he pulled out a chair for us to sit in when it was our turn. He made jokes and had legitimate conversations with us and was very pleasant. When I got my photo taken, we were even cheek to cheek for a bit (!!!). We even took a group photo together afterwords and he was perfectly okay with it. His event photographer even began to take photos of us as well. So, you know, don't be surprised if I'm uber famous soon. ;-) Then we kind of just hung around, did a little body bobbing to the DJ's tunes. I actually met people I should know by now. That was weird.
I'm posting photos of my outfit (after numerous trial and error accounts) and my newly signed addition in this post and hopefully there are more to come if my girlies e-mail me with their shots. (I only had my phone with me. Stupid, stupid Maud!)
Random side notes:
1. Got some swag. Woo hoo!
2. Got a hair cut, just in case you were interested. Which I'm sure you're not.
P.S. I'm pretty sure this is my longest post EVER.
Taylor Momsen intrigues me. I mean, she started out as this fresh-faced little ingenue, and turned into a Courtney Love impersonator overnight. That's a big transformation. I couldn't look at her without flinching during her mullet phase, but now that she's got new, admittedly fake, locks, let's take a little look at some of her recent ensembles.
From the neck up, I love this first look. The Ray-Bans are nice against the super-feminine waves, and the pink lippie is cute and young. As for the outfit itself, hmm. The boots, which I love, are mildly whorish with the booty shorts and belly shirt, and the plaid shirt only ups the washed up '90s rockstar factor. As for this second look, here the hair's not working for me. The bangs toned down the slutty cheap wig effect of her extensions. That dress is short and low-cut enough, but when you add the sheer thigh highs, it crosses the line into expensive, ahem, lady of the night. And the intense black liner paired with baby blue shadow is not helping. And this last look...hmm. Let's examine. Fedora-esque hat worn in a non-ironic way, shooties, and a cropped, zipped, wide-leg jumpsuit. No. Just no. It looks like a costume, and a bad costume at that. Like she's trying to be the leader of an undercover jazz band from the '70s.
And here the hair is doing it again. When it's that straight, you can really tell that it's not real. I actually think she's working the raccoon liner here (it's probably the serious brat face she's giving). The sheer thigh highs are back, but with the shorts and the extra layer of the cardigan on top, they work. Now if she'd just crack a smile...I love that this middle look is from a "Fresh Faces" Clinique event. This girl does not work a fresh face. Ever. Even the Gossip Girl writers make fun of her eyeliner. Her hair looks decent here, and I even like the oversized sweater dress and sheer tights combo, because on her teensy frame it actually works. I just wish she'd done a more delicate shoe to contrast the heaviness of the sweater. This third picture just makes me laugh. If she wanted to hide any part of her face, I'd think she'd hide the Courtney Love eyeliner that everyone makes fun of. Not her mouth. What I love about this outfit is that it's supposed to be her school UNIFORM. Let's compare her uber-mini tulip skirt to the pleated plaid skirts of the other two girls. Someone's out of uniform. And seriously, that skirt is two inches long. How is that practical to sit down in during class all day? I know Gossip Girl isn't about practicality, but seriously.
Here her hair just looks like it belongs on Malibu Barbie, which would be fine if it didn't go against her entire aesthetic. That dress says emo '90s Wiccan. The hair says Barbie. It's like someone put Barbie's head on the body of one of the girls from The Craft. I actually really like these last two looks (although if she's going to do the platinum blond thing, she needs to touch up her roots). This gown is gorgeous, and she's totally rocking the smokey eye and nude hue. There's interesting detail at the bodice, I love the asymmetrical draping and chain-ish detail, and the thigh high slit is very on-trend. The fishnets are pushing it a little over the edge. With that much leg cleavage you don't need the fishnets. The nude heels were a really good. This last outfit is my absolute fave. The little leather jacket over the knit cardigan is a nice juxtaposition of hard and soft, and I love the dark romantic vibe of the textural mini dress and lace tights.
Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Freakshow, $18 at sephora.com: It came, it came, it came!!!! OMG so happy. It's everything I wanted it to be and more. First of all, the packaging is adorable. There's a mirror in the lid, the 'cover art' is quirky and fun and weird (in a good way), and I found out accidentally that the lids are removable, so you could theoretically get a bunch of these and switch out the lids, which is cute. As for the shadow itself, you get almost twice as much as you do with a regular Urban Decay shadow or with a MAC shadow for about $2-4 more, so it's a really good deal. It's a deep, red-based purple with just a hint of shimmer. I love this color. It's deep and dark enough that you can do a fab smokey eye, use it as a liner, and do just about anything, but it definitely reads as purple up to at least five feet away (I may have measured it out in front of the bathroom mirror). It looks so rich on, and the purple is insanely flattering to hazel, green, or brown eyes. Freakshow is really highly pigmented and extremely smooth, so you can do a sheer wash for a hint of purple or pack it on for an even, dark lid. On top of that, it's really smudgeable and blendable, but once you put it on, it stays put. I'm really impressed. These Deluxe shadows actually measure up. I'm craving Zero, sparkly black, and Underground, a golden fawn.
Image Sources:
Taylor Momsen pics in order: gofugyourself.com, gofugyourself.com, gofugyourself.com, jezebel.com, gofugyourself.com, jezebel.com, jezebel.com, jezebel.com, temptalia.com, jezebel.com, makeupandbeautyblog.com.
This post is a little random. As in the only connecting theme is that I love everything in it. I think that counts.
Bodkin Andromeda Dress, $276 at lagarconne.com, Bodkin Love Dress, $310 at lagarconne.com, Bodkin Compressor Skirt, $276 at lagarconne.com: I like this Bodkin brand. They have this whole Star Trek-inspired femme fatale (am I the only one that thought the new Star Trek was kind fashion inspiring?) thing going on, and they use a lot of organic materials, which is always a plus. These three pieces hit on essential fall and spring trends. The first dress has some asymmetrical draping, dropped shoulders, and cut outs. I love the flash of skin at the shoulder--it's a very subtle way to do sexy. The second dress is the new take on a body-con mini. The geometric inlays and volume at the hips are very on trend, and it has an amazing futuristic, hot alien flight attendant vibe. All the flat detailing works perfectly with the neutral shade, and I love the convenient pockets. The skirt is the perfect high-waisted, body-con mini. First off, the price is definitely right, especially compared to Herve Leger. When compressor is in the name, you know it's going to have the same sucking in/flattering properties as the real deal, and there's a very faint geometric pattern that adds a ton of visual interest. Pair this with a drapey white tank and you are golden.
MAC Eye Kohl in Blooz, $14.50 at maccosmetics.com. I want navy eyeliner. I know it sounds random. But I really like navy. It's a really fun neutral. I usually go with brown or purple eyeliner, because purple plays up the green in my hazel eyes really nicely, and brown is a good option if black seems a little harsh. But navy...I think navy might really make my eyes pop. It's more of a shot of color than purple, it makes the whites of your eyes look really white by comparison, and it's still dark enough to give definition. Naturally, I turned to MAC first. They're reliable for more unexpected colors. I dug through all their navy liner options, and Makeup Alley is telling me that the Blooz Eye Kohl is the best. It's super-smudgeable, and it's the perfect shade of blue: vibrant, but not over the top. Do want.
So on my little TJ Max field trip this weekend, I also picked up this Miss Sixty coat. Miss Sixty isn't really a label I follow, but this coat was super-adorable and only $80. It's a hounds-toothy tweed that's black and grey with a few strands of pink woven in (to match the hot pink lining!). I'm in love with it. The cut is roomy, so I can layer underneath it, but it's fitted enough at the top that it's still flattering. It has big pockets, and the double-breasted buttons give it a bit of a peacoat vibe. I really like the overall '60s, ladylike feel of the coat. It's not something I would have thought to look for, but it's sweetly retro and I love me an Ally McBeal reference.
Image Sources:
Bodkin Love Dress: lagarconne.com, Bodkin Andromeda Dress: lagarconne.com, Bodkin Compressor Skirt: lagarconne.com, MAC Liner: makeupalley.com.
I've been doing too much shopping. Which is kind of a bad thing, but I'm having trouble feeling guilty about it. So I'm posting pictures of more clothes! Yay for the vicious cycle.
Monrow Panel Dress, $198 at shopbop.com, Monrow Studded Zebra V Tee, $95 at shopbop.com, LOVE YAYA Waif Dress, $187 at shopbop.com: I need to explain this dress. It's a thick, banded jersey that has some of the visual effect of an Herve Leger dress, but for about $600 less. The knee-skimming length balances out the fitted body and scoopneck perfectly, and the two zippers at the side hems adds an unexpected bit of edge. I love studs. I love v-necks. I love sheer white tees. I feel like Monrow is psychic. Do want this top. The studs have an almost necklace-like effect that's a great mix of glam and rock and roll. The thing with this tee is that it's REALLY sheer. Like different to wear in public sheer. But it's so sparkly...After some debate, I've decided that I like the print on this dress. Black and white is not my thing at all, but this has such a great aztec/geometric/tribal flair that I can stomach it. The streamlined fit is perfect for the busy print, and there's a lovely low back. This is a fantastic going out party dress for someone's who's young, fun, and trendy, but still likes a bit of polish.
Alice + Olivia Quilted Moto Jacket, $697 at shopbop.com, Felix Rey Bow Clutch, $320 at shopbop.com, Diane von Furstenberg Weekend Suede Flat Boots with Ankle Wrap, $395 at shopbop.com: I know I post a lot of little leather jackets, but this one is, one, grey, two, suede, and three, quilted. So it's special. It's actually only quilted in a few places, but still. I love the idea of doing a moto jacket in suede. It adds a nice degree of softness to such a tough style, and the dove grey hue only accentuates that. The quilting adds a bit of girly chic, and I love the cut. It's cinched in the back so you get the perfect fit when you zip it. I want to eat this clutch. Doesn't the bow look like tiny ears? Is that just me? It looks tiny, but it's actually a pretty oversized clutch, which works really nicely with the dainty styling and is super practical. These might be the perfect flat, non-equestrian boots. Again, I'm loving the suede (it's such a rich texture), and the wrap-around ankle detail makes them casual and just a little boho. These would be so great on the weekend over a dark wash pair of jeans with a slightly oversized, sheer white tee.
7 For All Mankind Dojo Stretch Jean, $155 down from $108.50 at shopbop.com: I had the best TJ Max experience of my life this weekend. The one back at home is always so picked over that every time I go I leave annoyed and empty handed, but for some reason the TJ Max is Medford is OFF THE HOOK. I got an adorable coat (pics later) and these 7 Jeans (thanks dad!). First off, they're actually this season's style, which is pretty unusual from what I know of TJ Max. Second off, they were $99. Which is a total score. They're the Dojo jeans, which I always thought looked awkward online, but OMG, these are my Holy Grail jeans. The 7 website says they're flared and wide-leg, which makes them sound like crazy '70s pants. They're straight to the knee, so they're fitted at the narrowest part of your leg, and then they go back out the match the width of your thigh with a slight wide-leg effect. The cut is insanely flattering, the wash is dark enough to be dressy but the slight distressing keeps it lowkey, and the denim is very thick and stretchy, so the jeans hold their shape well. The only thing I was worried about is the low rise, but it actually fits really well and it's not too low. If anything, the waist is a little big--but I'd take that over a muffin-top any day. Even the white 7s on the butt don't bother me. They're on sale for $108.50 at Shopbop, and I highly recommend them. I guarantee they'll make you look 10 thousand feet tall. Give or take a few inches. Did I mention that they're sweatpant comfy?
So I realize that there hasn't been a lot of makeup/beauty stuff on the blog recently (possibly due to my brokeness and distance from a MAC or Sephora) but I just ordered a bunch of stuff from Sephora and Ulta, so I promise I'll post on that soon. For the mean time, here's a quick rundown of my new fave daytime eye look. I'll do a legit post on this later. Start with Urban Decay Primer Potion, let that dry, and then cover the lid with Benefit's Creaseless Shadow/Liner in Birthday Suit. Brush MAC's Wedge shadow in the crease, and line the eyes with Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner in Rockstar (both lashlines and the waterline). Cover the lid in MAC's cream color base in Root, and smudge some in the lower lashline, and then brush MAC's shadow in Style Snob across the lid. Then take MAC's shadow in Shale, and highlight the inner tear duct. Pat a little of MAC's shadow in Nocturnelle across the lid for a hint of purple, and then smudge Nars' shadow in Galapagos into both lashlines (a dark purple shadow would work better, but for now I'm just using the darkest shadow I own for extra definition). Finish with a coat of Max Factor's Volume Couture Waterproof mascara. It's sparkly, and the purple and brown combine to make this gorgeous smokey amethyst shade that really highlights green or hazel eyes.
I'm also teaching my roomie about what makeup is (no, really), so we're going to have some fun with that. This is what she did when I gave her blush (to be fair, she was in the middle of a Chem-induced breakdown). Hehe.
Image Sources:
Monrow dress: shopbop.com, Monrow tee: shopbop.com, LOVE YAYA dress: shopbop.com, Alice + Olivia jacket: shopbop.com, Felix Rey clutch: shopbop.com, DVF boots: shopbop.com, 7 for all Mankind jeans: shopbop.com.
