Pretty Kitty

I realize this is old news, but better late than never, right?

I thought I was pumped about the M.A.C/Fafi collection...

I thought I was stoked about the M.A.C/Heatherette collection...

but NOTHING is more exciting than M.A.C + Hello Kitty!!

Well, at least for me, anyways...

That's right, it's been in stores for a couple weeks now. The collection is packaged in glossy black, and Kitty is looking very mod instead of her usual colorful self. There are two lines, Mild and Wild, to appeal to every kitten. Lots of pink (of course) and a bit of blue show up in glitter, lip gloss, powders and shadows. Get it before it's gone!

I must have this brush kit!

& I am dying to get my paws on that white nail polish! Or get some white polish on my paws rather, haha.

Watch the ADORABLE promo video at http://maccosmetics.com/!

Fall Fashion Week 09

Fashion week has come and gone again. My apologies for not keeping up with it better! I'm just going to talk about my favorite of the few shows I did look at:

ANNA SUI

Her collection for fall this year was SO great--it was hard for me not to post a picture of every look! The looks were inspired by a vintage Parisian boudoir. Of course there was a lot of black, Anna's fave color.

Almost every girl wore some kind of fabulous headpiece. It really made me want to make some of my own. Anna's had rhinestones, jewel-toned plumes, and a few floppy knit hats.

I loved the star motif!

HOW gorgeous was Jourdan Dunn?!

Another fantastic accessory in this line were the tights. Some were colorfully printed...

but the best in show definitely went to the pairs that shimmered at different angles. They looked solid black, but as the models walked down the runway you could see flashes of blue, purple or gold in the light.

To top it all off, my favorite Brit-Girl, Daisy Lowe, walked in this show!

To watch the show in all its glory, go to http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASiaxiGl5vI&feature=related. Pictures courtesy of http://style.com/.

My Picks #3: Cowboy boots

I owe you readers an apology for such a long unannounced hiatus! A break from school makes you want to take a break from everything!

I'm going to pick back up with another of my personal product picks. The third one is...

Cowboy boots

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. I promise you though, the right style can really make a look, so long as you don't let it look costumey. I got my first pair for Christmas when I was about 5. They were bright red, and even then I appreciated their fashion power!

My pair of vintage-looking brown leather Ariats are actually for riding horses, but you can find fashion pairs in any department store. They are actually my most expensive fashion piece, but it was definitely a wise investment, as I have probably worn them over 100 times in the 3 years I've had them, and get compliments on them very often.

Country singer Taylor Swift has made pairing boots with formal dresses her signature look.

If you're not sure of how to wear them or if you're just not sure if they're for you, put on something you like to wear a lot and go shopping. Try them on with what you think you'd wear them with. I wear mine with shorts (try to avoid the Daisy Duke look), with skinny jeans tucked into them, or with knee-length or shorter dresses.

Be adventerous! But if you don't feel comfortable, don't waste your money on something you won't look forward to wearing.

Happy shopping!

Make-Up Must Haves

Yet another list from Rachel Zoe, with my alterations. If these products aren't sitting on your vanity, they should be...

moisturizer
(with SPF!)

ALWAYS before your makeup.

concealer

To hide undereye shadows and imperfections. I really like The Eraser, by Tarte. It's super smooth.

http://sephora.com/

cream blush
(yes, cream)

I use M.A.C Blushcreme in Posey and I have been on the same pot forever. A little dab'll do ya.

http://www.maccosmetics.com/

shimmer stick or cream

Why, you ask? A subtle shimmer (NOT stripper glitter) reflects light and attracts the eye. Swipe some in the arch of your eyebrow and on your cheekbone, above your blush. I like Smashbox's Artificial Light for its iridescence.

http://www.smashbox.com/

mascara!

This product is my biggest and best beauty secret. I get compliments on my eyelashes all the time, (I've been asked if they were fake more than once) and I owe it to this mascara. The primer adds visible extensions to your lashes and the comb that applies color separates them. If you want natural looking lashes, this product is not for you.

&
a glossy, moisturizing lip balm

My gloss of choice is C.O. Bigelow's Mentha Lip Tint. It adds color, shine, moisture, AND a minty scent to your kiss. It comes in multiple colors, but my fave is the more cherry-tinged No. 1138.

http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/

Seeing Spots

So I thought this was cool...I work in an outdoor mall, and right across the parking lot from my store is the Express store. Walking in to work one day a furry leopard coat in the window caught my eye. I thought to myself that I should go look at it sometime. A day or two later I got my beloved Nylon in the mail, and low & behold, my Express coat is in a story about the leopard print trend. At the bottom of the page the prices for all of the products were listed. The coat I wanted was a whopping $168! No way I could afford that. I cut the picture out & posted it on my bulletin board so I could admire it. Maybe I would find one cheaper somewhere...

A week or so later, I got to work a little early, so I thought I'd go in Express just to see if the coat was even still there. It was, & there was only one left in my size. I tried it on & immediately fell in love (which is not common for me). I knew I had to have it, so I put it on hold & called my mom after I got off work that night. I offered to pay for half if she & Dad would pay the other half for an early Christmas present, or strike some sort of deal. I really needed a thick coat since I'm going to Chicago next month! She put me on the phone with my dad, & he said "Well if you love love love it, you've gotta have it then, huh? Just go ahead & put it on the credit card." What a nice daddy! I picked it up the next day!

I just had to share that story, because it makes me so happy : )
Here's the story my coat was in:

Pretty

NYLON is my favorite magazine, so when they released their beauty book, Pretty, last year, I knew I had to have it. It's over 200 colorful pages packed with product suggestions, looks to try, and inspirational beauty icons throughout the decades. I refer to my copy whenever I am in the mood to try something new. It hasn't failed me yet! Get yours at http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-NYLON-Beauty-Editors-Nylon/dp/0789315394.

Jewelry Box Essentials

Not everyone wears jewelry, but it is one of the best ways to add to your style quotient. Accessories can transform an outfit and make a big statement.

This list of key pieces to own is inspired by celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, and tweaked by me...

diamond studs

(real or fake)

Use them to brighten a more basic ensemble.

metal hoop earrings

You can wear them with anything!

a special cocktail ring

This doesn't have to break your bank-costume jewelry can sometimes look just as nice.

statement-making chandelier earrings

pearls

EVERY girl should own pearls!

a bangle or cuff

a "wow" necklace

Never underestimate the power of jewelry as a conversation piece!

All of the examples in this blog are Betsey Johnson pieces (because I am a huge fan!) If you liked these, check out her website http://www.betseyjohnson.com. Happy shopping!

Dress-Up Day!

My Picks #2: black booties

Here's the second installment of my favorite fashion and beauty products...

One fashion item that stomped down many a Fall runway is the black high-heeled ankle boot (aka bootie).

I have had a pair of these for a couple of years now & I get a compliment on them almost every time I wear them, no lie. Mine were only $10 at Hot Topic, but depending on the quality prices vastly range.

This amazing pair of Louboutins will only set you back $11,500...

This is a great addition to your wardrobe, especially in the fall, because you can wear them with jeans, tights or leggings, even cute cuffed socks. The possibilities are endless, and so are the styles, but you can't go wrong with basic black.

Style A to Zoe

In addition to regularly posting my fashion and beauty picks, I am also going to post style tips influenced by celebrity stylist (and my personal role model) Rachel Zoe and her book, Style A to Zoe. I highly recommend adding this book to your library, whether you are interested in the fashion industry or not. Everyone could use some helpful tips!
Order yours at http://www.amazon.com/styleatozoe or pick it up at your local Books-A-Million.

The first of these tips is a suggestion of a handful of things to make your life a little more glamorous:

red lipstick
(Consult a makeup artist at a department store counter to find your perfect shade. Bold lipstick can easily go wrong.)

black eyeliner

(don't forget mascara!)

fabulous high heels

a faux fur shrug

(These can get pricey, but it's not impossible to find one at a thrift shop.)

&

a metallic clutch

(Clutch-n. a woman's small purse that can be carried in the hand and usually has no handle or strap.)

Stay tuned for more tips!

Let It Fall

Autumn is my favorite season. Growing up in the mountains of east Tennessee surrounded by the rainbow of changing leaves is something I am so thankful for. Nothing is as comforting as the smell of dry leaves in the the crisp air, bundling up in your favorite cold weather clothes and retreating inside to sip hot chocolate in front of the fire place. (Yeah, I actually did all that).

Fall is also an important time in the fashion world! The opportunity to layer more really allows designers' imaginations to run wild. Amidst all the cardigans and woolly tights, though, it's easy to forget about your basics. Luckily, as long as Agent Provocateur is around, there's no way you can leave pretty little intimates off your fall shopping list.

Luxury lingerie brand Agent Provocateur recently released its ad campaign for its fall line, and I absolutely love it. Not only is it set in a colonial style manor decorated for autumn, it features model Daisy Lowe, the current face for Agent P (and personal style icon for me) and fellow British It Girl Peaches Geldof.

It looks like these hot vampire chics felt like crashing Thanksgiving dinner. The dark silks of the collection and the equally dark eyes and silky lips on the models ooze an almost scary sensuality. With pieces like this, who needs a sexy costume this Halloween?

My Picks #1: Stila Sheer Pressed Powder

From time to time I'm going to tell you about my personal favorite beauty products, fragrances, etc. Here's the first one:

STILA SHEER PRESSED POWDER

This is definitely the best powder that I have ever tried. It's not too sheer and provides just the right amount of coverage. You don't have to scrape it out of the compact (like some cheaper powders) and it makes your face feel super smooth and soft. I even brush it onto my roots if they're looking a little oily. Use a big fluffy powder brush to apply.

This wonderful product comes in fair, light, medium and dark, so there's a shade for every face. $28 may seem a little pricey, but it's definitely worth it for this product, which is not only high quality but long-lasting too. Get yours at http://www.stilacosmetics.com/ or your local Ulta or Sephora.

He said it...

"Fashion wears out more apparel than the man."
-William Shakespeare ♥