Friday, November 16, 2012

Shoe Dazzle vs. JustFab pt 2.

I love how everyone finds this blog because I did the compare and contrast with the shoes. So here's the second part.

I can quit Shoe Dazzle any time I want. They don't make me sign up, they're not doing monthly fees any more, and it's easy. I am completely comfortable. Because I don't like most of the shoes they produce and I feel like they look a little... unfinished.

JustFab... Oh trying to leave JustFab... I've tried several times, all unsuccessfully. They still have the monthly fees, and they hide how to skip the month, and it's just a pain. I want to quit. I really do. But here's the thing with that. To quit JustFab, you have to call them. I can never get them on the phone (be it to change sizes on a shoe, ask about an order, or asking to quit), but when I do they're often confused and disoriented. I love the shoes I got from them, except they're too big. The bag I got is ADORABLE, but kind of impractical. I wanted to get a credit for it. Needless to say, months later, I still have the bag. It's fine. I like it.

So this blog is going on a journey. I had a really rough day at work. I am trying to show people that they are in desperate need of Chanel, but they don't seem to believe me. Actually it's a bunch of stuff all having nothing to do with selling. Any way... I needed cheering up. So I was shoe shopping. I need boots, wedge boots. Something funky. But black. So I start my journey all over the internet. Including these 2 sites.

So, this is why I ended up back at DSW. I was looking through these sites, but the heels on their boots were too high for me to stand on at work for 8 hours a day or they were deathly boring. I can't have a boring shoe. I wear all black all day. I wear pencil skirts every day. My shoes are my one chance to own my outfit. So I need function and fashion. I may have paid more for the shoes I got, but I can guarantee that they will fit, that if something is wrong I'll be able to return or exchange them, I don't have to rely on the phone and computer, and I can have what I want.

I think the problem with fashion right now is that we are settling. Instead of buying EXACTLY what we want, we are buying what is cheap. Spend a little more, the shoes will fit and feel better, wear longer, and keep you happy. In the end, you'll spend less, because you're getting what you want (unless we're talking Louboutins. That's a different level.) So, here. What I decided on, instead of spending $40 to be unhappy and uncomfortable in my boots. And no, I don't think I'll be purchasing from the JustFab line again. Maybe ShoeDazzle, definitely the Mint lines, bust JustFab? I'm just over it.


Monday, October 29, 2012

Perfect Skin

To my annoyance, there's a phrase that I've been hearing a lot lately. In spite of my arguments, I hear a lot about how I have "beautiful skin." Now, I know where my blemishes are, and I work really hard to control the oil, so I see my skin very differently. So tonight's entry is all about my personal skin care.

First and foremost, we are our own harshest critic. I know this from working with people on their skin. We know all the lines and wrinkles and spots. I don't think most people see those things that we dislike about our skin. But since each person knows their concerns, I'll share my routine. 

*Author's note: I am off tomorrow. I need to clean my bathroom. The counter has spots from spilling contact solution. Don't judge. 


Every day, I do these things. Not morning and night, but this is my skin care routine. If I skip a day, my skin has a fit and I break out. It's all about the routine. It's important to commit to taking care of your skin. 

Step 1. Makeup removal. 


Probably the last thing I got into, makeup removal is HUGE. Obviously, it helps cleanse the skin of make up, but it also helps prevent clogged pores, dead skin, and aging. I use Almay because it's gentle and offers oil-free options. It's totally price friendly, too. Now, I love the Chanel Demaquillant Yeux eye makeup remover, but I personally prefer wipes. These come pre-soaked in the remover, so I never feel like I'm wasting product. (Obviously) I only use these steps at night. 

Step 2. The Clarisonic


Please note it's charging. This is because I cannot go a wash without it. The Clarisonic is the best part of my day. I love washing my face now that I have this. It literally smooths skin, cleanses better than your hands, cleanser, and wash cloth alone. It's nice, because it's my wind down moment of my day. Even though I use a face makeup remover, this will do it for you (though seeing all the makeup I wear every day come off grosses me out.) 1 minute twice a day and your skin will feel amazing. Here's the bonus: Because skin will be smoother and there will be less dead skin, you will use less product. When I say that, I mean less cleanser, less toner, less foundation, less everything. It's amazing. 

Step 3. Cleansing, toning, and exfolianting


Easy peasy, I exfoliate 3 times a week. Right now I have Neutragena foaming scrub, but I will be switching back to my green tea exfoliater from Saint Ives. That is my favorite exfoliator. Exfoliate 2-4 times a week. Clean up the dead skin. Do not use an exfolaitor with the Clarisonic. Done.

I cleanse at least twice a day using Chanel Mousse Douceur (Doe-cee-ere). It has 2 amazing ingredients which have been refined down to the purest form to create active ingrediants- tulip wood extract (this will help remove free radicals from the skin) and mallow (this helps balance the pH in skin.) It keeps my skin extra soft. 

After my cleanser I use the Chanel Lotion Douceur. This helps keep the oil in control (not alcohol free, but it's so minimal I can't feel it.) It also has the active ingredients that are in the cleanser. 

Step 4. Moisturizing.

The last step in my routine for now. I do not use a concentrate yet, but I will probably start. I'll get to that at another point. 

I use 2 eye creams, because I want 2 results. I use Lancome Genifique eye in the morning, mixed with my concealer. It helps with dark circles and puffiness, but is light enough to pair with a concealer. Then, at night, I use Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair. This is my favorite eye cream. I could live without Genifique, but I doubt I could survive without ANR. It's so light and weightless, yet so powerful. 

I only have one cream for day and night, because I am just looking for first signs of aging. I use Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme (EEE-drah) because it is very hydrating, oil-free, light weight, and it does not break me out. It helps keep my skin hydrated without clogging my pores. No matter how oily your skin is, it is imperative to hydrate. 

Optional- SPF
Okay this isn't optional. Use an SPF. I use Chanel UV Essentiel or Clinique Super City Block. My moisturizer does not have an SPF, and because I'm so very fair, I have to protect from the sun. This is part of what keeps my skin looking healthy and happy. So use that. 

There you are, world. This is how I keep my skin glowing, smooth, and "beautiful." Go try different things. And get a Clarisonic. In fact, call and order it from me.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Working for Chanel

In case you all missed it, I have been MIA for a while now. I accepted a position as a Chanel Cosmetics Counter Manager at a department store. I have also met someone very special, so less blogging time for sure. Mostly because I am working so much, but I need to get back at it. So, I'm going to start blogging more about makeup. It's not that I care less about fashion, but I will admit that I love my job. Makeup is a huge part of fashion, so it's all about that for me. Plus, I am working for Chanel. I mean, come on.

So here's the thing. I keep seeing these "What's in their bag" posts. Which I love. But at the same time, if I dump my bag it's like gloves and name tag and bag of lipsticks and powder. Proof:

This is my work bag. In it, you see my mittens, fingerless so I can keep using my phone, my Michael Kors lipstick bag, Sephora nail polish remover (it's amazing for on the go! There's a sponge soaked in the best remover on the inside, so all you have to do is dip your fingers 2 or 3 times. All the girls at work are obsessed with it), my Starbucks gift card, because I run on coffee, Sephora carbon blotting papers (discontinued, but so amazing), Chanel Le Volume Mascara (not released until November 23rd, but my new addiction), Lancome gloss in Exuberant Rose, Soft Lips chapstick (which I never use. I don't know why it's there), Pepto for when I am super stressed, and my Chanel Poudre Universelle in 20. I have to live out of this bag for work, and it has to be clear, so I try to keep it minimal.

I do store a lot in my Michael Kors bag. I got it from Estee Lauder last holiday, and will get another this year. So, here's the lipsticks I must have for work. I love them so much.


Starting at the top, Chanel mini glossimer, perfect for sparkle and sheer. It's less tacky than most glosses.  My Maybelline Baby Lips collection. My favorite is the peach, which is in the purple tube. That's the only thing I can wear and still kiss my boyfriend in. He never knows when I'm wearing it, but it keeps my lips super soft and moist. In the silver and clear tube is a cheap gloss. I got it at Target for $1. Then there are my Rouge Allure Chanel lipsticks. When we re-released this line, I became obsessed. The best reds I've ever seen. Then, I had to have the holiday matte (which we've literally had for 3 days now.) So in the Rouge Allure I have Passion, Incandescente, and L'Impatiente. Next is Loreal lip stain in Target red (of course I had to have TARGET red.) I have Lancome's retractable liners in Berry, Plum, and Garnet to match some different lipsticks. Then I have a Urban Decay gloss. For me, the highlight of the gloss is both memory and packaging. One of my dearest friends and I got these when I was in college. We had to have them because of the hologram on the wand. It's of a guy, fully dressed, but if you tilt it forward, he's in his underwear. So funny. Next is my FAVORITE product in the bag right now. It's the Nars velvet matte pencil in Cruella. Best lipstick ever. I love the color. It's a vibrant red, but with blue undertones, so it matches my cheeks. Finally I have 2 matte lipsticks from Lancome in Plum Show and Socialite. They match the liners and are fun mattes.

Anyway, there's my welcome back. Again. Next we'll do one of my real bags, plus my favorite make up techniques and products (both value and luxury), bust out my tool box, talk brushes, and anything else. I'm glad to be back.

Monday, June 11, 2012

JustFab Vs. ShoeDazzle

Alright ladies and gents, here's the first go around with purchasing from each company. I got each pair of shoes at 50% off, but I will say this: I called and asked both companies for help before purchasing, and I must say, ShoeDazzle's customer service is vastly superior to JustFab. JustFab could not answer any of my questions, nor would they say anything but "well, you can find out on the web site." ShoeDazzle was very helpful and helped me with everything, including walking me through checking out. Neither site charges for shipping, so that's nice. ShoeDazzle took a little longer to arrive, but both sites had easy links to track the shoes.

The websites are both easy, but here's a defining issue for me: ShoeDazzle offers shoes in half sizes all the way to 11. JustFab offers half sizes up to 8.5, but I'm a 9.5. So that's frustrating. I opted for the 10, and the shoes are too big. I am going to need to buy some inserts for the shoes, so they don't slide around too much.

So, let's talk presentation.


So, from left to right, here's what I got. JustFab came in today. They came in a flimsy little box, so they're more easily damaged. But they did have an awesome coupon. ShoeDazzle came in a thick box with a protective bag. I definitely like ShoeDazzle's presentation more. 

Now for the actual shoes. 


The ShoeDazzle ones are very basic, but they're exactly what I need for all my navy clothing. They're cotton, basic buckle, and a little cushion in the sole.


The details on the JustFab shoes are awesome. I love the little skull charm on the top strap. But my favorite detail is on the bottom of the shoe...


There's a little sailor skull. And it's cute and fun and a little surprise.

The ShoeDazzle shoes are slightly more comfortable, but I think that's because they're wedges. I'll let everyone know how they each wear. I do have to get those inserts. Hmmmm.

Monday, June 4, 2012

SS12 Trends 9- Blushes and Nudes

Probably one of the most diverse, yet flattering trends is the use of blush and beige tones. There are several different shades of blush or beige (aka nude tones) so it can look flattering on anyone. Please note that Tim Gunn once pointed out that using the term "nude" as a color is racist, and I kind of think that he's right. But, no matter how you refer to the color, it's something that anyone can wear, and it can be used for lots of different items. For instance, my first choice in this trend is...


This is my actual purse. Yes. I bought this at Target. It's an Xhiliration, it was inexpensive. I love it. So you can do that. You can always opt for an older trend,


The beige shoe is still fun, but classy. These are also mine, and they're about 5.5 inches high. So you always have those options. But for the more daring, the truly trendy, and the fashionista, try clothing. Because you can do it 1,000 different ways: dresses, tees, jackets, pants, shorts, in which ever shade flatters you the most:


But here's some tips. Make sure it's not the same shade as your skin. You will look naked. Make sure it's not too different from your skin tone- it will wash you out. Other than that, have fun with it! It works with anything, black, white, neons, patterns, pastels, ANYTHING. That's what makes it amazing. 

Sunday, June 3, 2012

SS12 Trend #10- Neon Bags

Once again, we've moved into the area of things I love the neon bag. And to be honest, it's something that can go with anything. So, here's the deal, don't spend a lot of money on the bag, unless you make a lot of money. Go to The Gap, Target, J. Crew, Forever 21, or H&M and grab one for cheap. And here's some cute ones. I don't think we need more info than that.


Saturday, June 2, 2012

SS12 Trends #11, Baseball Caps

Sorry about the hiatus. I had to get through some things. Some very emotional things. It's been hard dealing with remaining in Denver. I feel very stagnant. And that's not something I like.

BUT! On to more important things. We are now getting into things I love. One of the things I had to have this year was a baseball cap. There's so many different kinds, and anyone can wear one. I opted for a large, flat-brimmed Yankees cap in gray. If you're not into sports, it's cool, you have options. they make blank ones, you can do your dad's favorite team, the team you grew up liking, or a classic team, like the Yankees, Giants, Clippers, Lakers, Celtics, Bruins, Red Wings, etc. They're fun and sporty, but they can be feminine.  Here's a great example.


So give it a try. find one you're comfortable in. And if you're pinching pennies, steal one from your boyfriend, dad, brother, whatever.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

SS12 Trends #12 The Wedge/Platform Sneaker

The wedge sneaker... AHHHH yes, when it's done right, they're fantastic. But it's not so easy to do right. When done right, it looks a little street, but still fun and fashionable. When it's done wrong, it's a hot mess.

This trend is comfortable, but funky, young, fresh, and fun. It's easy to see Vivian Westwood running around in them. Getting them in multicolored can be great, but someone a little more conservative can wear a cream or a gray pair.

Fashionable:


Not fashionable:


When they look like this, they're worse than those ones the Spice Girls used to wear.

When in doubt, try more of a wedge, because they'll still look chic and urban. The platform is too round, and can look heavy. Wear them with leggings or tights, skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, or voluminous skirts. They add something unexpected to a classic look, or they add pop to street style.

This is definitely a trend that comes and goes, so these are not investment pieces, but they are fun and trendy, and they will always come back into style.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

SS12 Trends #13 Florals

Every once and a while, a floral print is used well, but more often than not it looks like this. And it's vomit-worthy. The use of floral prints makes me think of my grandmother's couch and curtains. And no offense to Grandma, but that was never the best look.

If you really want to wear florals, remember mix it with neutrals, keep it pretty and feminine, and try and watch the colors. If it's too bright you will look like an Easter character. If it's too faded, it will not look vintage. It will look old. And, most importantly, if you can afford it, do it right. Dolce and Gabbana style.


Thursday, March 29, 2012

Top Trends for SS12. #14


Really? This is something that's cool? I could maybe, MAYBE tolerate the middle set, because the vertical stripes make legs longer. But overwhelmingly, printed skinny jeans are just going to make your butt look big. Even acid wash is terrible. 


Do you really want to look like one of the guys from LMFAO? So, this is up there with my hatred of animal sweaters as the most tragic trends for 2012. Stop yourself before you buy.


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

15 Spring/Summer Trends #15


This is not a flattering look. You have a dog on your chest. 

This is my least favorite trend for SS12. It's awkward and uncomfortable and really ugly. It's a nod to Glee's Rachel, who insists on wearing these beastly sweaters. There isn't anything about this trend I think of as flattering. The sweaters look like something for a small child, and not in  an adorable way, like a tutu. Instead there's a picture of an animal. It's not cute. It's tacky and something I'm pretty sure I wore during the early 90's. It's basically one step above a holiday sweater. And not even the rich can pull those off. 


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Yves Saint Laurent at the Denver Art Museum, or How I Found My Way Back Home

When something traumatic happens, something so traumatic it steals away your creativity, it weighs on your passions, your love. It makes you feel down, depressed, and you begin to hate those things that you love. 

I'm sure those of you that know me wonder why I'm not singing about leaving for school. I've had to push it back. Maybe worse. I am not sure of my future. It's a financial issue. I've been depressed, lonely, and unhappy for a month now, attempting to find a way, but finding it to be impossible. I began to hate fashion. I began to look at magazines and I'd feel sick. I didn't care if Marc Jacobs was leaving Vuitton for Dior. I didn't care if Sarah Burton burned Alexander McQueen to the ground. And I didn't care that the Denver Art Museum was debuting the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective. But, I was dragged out there by my mother, thank God. 

For any good fashionista, walking into the exhibit is like Charlie walking into the Wonka Factory. It's set up superbly, beginning with a brief bio on him through the Dior years, and even through his replacement. We all need to be grateful that he was replaced. Using audio and visual interactions, the exhibit really draws the audience in. But be warned, there's a lot of information given. Designed to guide the audience from the least dramatic to the most, the exhibit builds excitement and tension. 

One of the first looks, this jumpsuit was fantastic. One of my favorite pieces, because it was tailored, but not overworked. 

But the most fantastic was the tuxedo and ball room. 

Here is a portion of the tuxedo wall. Using the tuxedo as inspiration, YSL created the female tuxedos, ranging from pants or skirt suits to dresses. Claiming, of course, that he wanted women to be comfortable, YSL allowed women the freedom to choose between pants and skirts. 


Then, juxtaposing the tuxedo wall, was the ballgown area. Here was the incredible gowns designed for high society or red carpet events. There were so many gowns, any woman could find one she'd love to wear. I found at least 7.


This was the final look. I found it truly inspirational, and I want a dress like this so badly. It was lovely, feminine and yet surprising, and, obviously, influential. Designers are still trying to recreate this gown. Usually it goes very poorly  (yes, Dior, I'm looking at you.) 

Overall, it was lovely, fantastic, and heartwarming. I was suddenly reminded of why I want to be in fashion, why I want to pursue my dreams in the industry. Sometimes, all you need is a little reminder of why you love something. Now, I need to find me a dress with a giant pink bow on the back. 

Spring and Summer Trends

After a mini break, because I earned it, I'm back with my take on the upcoming seasons trends. I'm a little late, but I can do fall right after these.

Over the next 15 days, I'll countdown what I think are the biggest Ready to Wear trends, my thoughts, and how to wear them. There will be pictures and commentary, and I assume I will insult someone who has already purchased something terrible, either in irony or in seriousness.

Look, I believe fashion should not be taken seriously, but there are some things that are so tacky, I don't know what to do with myself. #15 is the worst to me. To tide you over until I post, here, sexy men.




Wednesday, January 25, 2012

It's apparent I'm suppressing my fears about school, because my dreams are definitely manifesting those fears. Last night was a doozie. I was at fashion week, and I was watching a show. I then had to go pick  up 2 Swiss Balls for Pat (one of my best friends). I kept having to leave the show to help other people, and eventually I got yelled at for having 2 purple Swiss Balls at a fashion show. My two favorite professors were sitting across from me, looking slightly ridiculous in their leather suits (like traditional business suits, but in leather), and they just looked disappointed. So finally, I have to leave and I end up with Pat in a grungy little apartment with nothing around, but dust, gross apt, and brown grass.

So I'm thinking fear.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

65 days. Yikes.

65 Days until school starts. 29 until I fly out there to tour.

So far, my list has changed 14,000 times about what I need out there, but I got the top 2 items.



and


Basically at this point, I'm trying to focus on what I need. My mother thinks that's a TV, but I love my big ghetto tv. I have 2 pairs of corduroy pants (one gray brown, one wine), the new jeans, a maxi skirt,  a black jersey skirt, a houndstooth mini, a black mini, and 2 pairs of black  legging pants. I have a few dresses. I have enough shoes to last forever. I have enough movies to last forever, but I think I'm going to take Wii with me, and have that. 

Basically at this point I'm thinking all I really need is a couple of sketchbooks and my iPhone. Let's get going! Oh, my iPhone will be held in THIS:  



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

After the Depressing Post from Earlier...

I will say I think I'm dealing with waiting for LA poorly. I'm so ready for this challenge, yet it's still 72 days away. It's both insanely close and very far away, hence that last post. So with this one, I'm really going to try and focus on the happy. Coming up, I have my new iPhone, which I already have a designer case for. I think I'm going to be able to afford the tattoo I really want. I get to go back-to-school shopping, which I love. I'm going back to the gym regularly, so that's good. I need to focus on that, because when I get out there, it'll be really important to use the gym to get rid of the stress. But most importantly I need to really need to go find some inspiration. But, here's the tattoo I think I'm going to get... All from the brilliant mind of Marc Jacobs.

After My Weekend Off

I managed to have a 4 day weekend. I don't know why, but all this did was make me more restless to get out of Denver. I don't know that L.A. is going to be the place that I love the most (probably not, Edinburgh will probably hold that for a long time), but I now understand why I have to leave. I need something that challenges me. It's like Aaron always says, some people can settle for a job that is okay, because they really love something else about where they're at. We're not those people.

And I'm not slamming anyone who can settle for a job that isn't what they've always dreamed of, but what I AM saying is that I will be miserable if I don't get into a field that fits who I am. I am incredibly restless on my days off, because I cannot wait to get out there. I cannot wait to be in the middle of something much more face-paced, and to be frank, I cannot wait to not be able to slow down. I am sick of life being slow, of it being hard to get into an inspiring area to help with creativity. Instead, right now, I feel like I'm struggling, because I am only getting creativity from movies and magazines. I feel like I'm at my best when I'm surrounded by culture and creativity, and the  more I think about it, I am stuck thinking that Colorado's culture is just... It's not helping.

So more and more I think about everything, I am probably hindering myself by allowing myself to perceive Colorado they way I do, but also, I understand that I am working toward leaving my fear of mediocrity and becoming boring behind.

Okay, no more crazy water for me.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Celeb Stalking

Here's the thing. I am going to need some cheap entertainment out in L.A. So, I've devised a game to help. We're calling it celeb stalking, but there's no approaching or harassing celebs. It's a scavenger hunt of certain celebs, where we see if we can spot them. Maybe even take a photo with the phone, but overall, leave them alone. So, I'm compiling a list of celebs most scavenge-worthy, beginning with the most important:

1. Alexander Skarsgard. If this shocks you, you don't know me.
2. Ryan Gosling. Is he really as hot as he looks?
3. Emma Stone.
4. Mila Kunis.
5. Axl Rose.
6. Any of the Hills stars (because they're just asking for it.)
7. Any of the rest of the cast from True Blood.
8. Any of the cast from Gossip Girl.
9. Marc Jacobs.
10. Lindsey Lohan. Why wouldn't I want to see a train wreck?

I highly doubt I'll go out of my way to see any celebs, but the idea is fun. Okay, I may have to walk by The Ivy, just to see how insane it is.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Sketches




I've been putting together a collection. It's really about keeping sketching, getting better at figures, etc. So here's some sketches. I'm also posting them on FB.

Monday, January 9, 2012

It's time I ended this hiatus. I've asked myself what I want this blog to be, to become, and even, if I should keep it or not. And, ultimately, I've decided to keep it. What I am going to do is make it more focused. Instead of trying to help everyone, or post things I like, it's going to become more. This is all about the next 448 days of my life. It's about my journey from Denver to L.A. to where ever I end up after FIDM. The next year of my life is going to be the most crazy and exciting time of my life. So this is going to be my mission. From today until I'm done with school, I am going to be updating on prepping for school (getting in shape, making some garments, sketching, etc), what's happening in L.A., and what's going to happen beyond. So here's my little return letter, with a little assignment I gave myself.

Here are the items of clothing I'd like to find before I leave in 83 days.
1. Black or navy shorts
2. Teal tights
3. A blazer
4. One or two cardigans- neither gray or black
5. One more pair of jeans
6. One more pair of sandals
7. A few more tank tops
8. Another maxi skirt
9. Skirts
10. Wedges

Okay, maybe this is unattainable, but on top of that, I need to clean out my closet. Like, completely clean out. So goals set.