The Nordstrom Stylist pt.2/What to Wear to a Wedding

So, I reached out to Nordstrom again. This time I got 2 replies, one within 24 hours, one a few days later. So I set up an appointment with a woman named Krista and I have the appointment tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it, if I feel a connection I think I'll actually have her help me find a dress for a wedding I'm going to at the end of March.

But more importantly, I'm fixated on what to wear to the wedding. My friend, who knows me very well, told me, "It's no big deal, wear whatever, it's not black tie." GREAAAAAAAAAAAAAT. That leaves the door open. And please don't get me wrong, she knows I won't show up in boyfriend jeans and a tank top, She knows me well enough to know I would show up looking good, but this is a moment to wear something fun. Of course, I'm digging through the internet looking for what one should wear to a wedding. I have a zillion dresses, of course, but I'm still torn on what to wear. Part of me wants a cool jumpsuit to wear. Part of me wants a fun, tea length party dress. Of course I could wear a sexy cocktail dress- boooooring, but if I paired it with a cool oversized cardigan and funky jewelry that would be fun. I have this great Calvin Klein dress that I'm worried would be too short, but opaque tights solve problems.

So, right now I'm researching, and I feel like there's no answer. It's the most ambiguous event I've ever attended. You see, I've missed every wedding since graduating college. I am committed to career and I've chosen work over weddings every time (all my weddings have been travel weddings. I was often told no I couldn't go.)

Of course I'm wondering if  a jumpsuit would be appropriate- I always want to wear a jumpsuit. I could class-up something like this by removing the belt and adding a better one, adding jewelry.

But then part of me wonders about a classic party dress, easy, and minimal accessorizing needed- it's hard to travel with accessories. Maybe something like this in a different color. 

The sexy dress/cardigan idea is something I am keeping in mind and toying with, but it would be something I need to work on conceiving in my head. But it may end up being something completely different. I guess only time will tell- though I don't have a lot of time.

Nordstrom Personal Stylist

So I know some of you will be surprised to find out I've been doing a lot of ordering from nordstrom.com. Okay no one is surprised to find that out. But I've been ordering, specifically lingerie. I've found a gorgeous British line that fits well and it so pretty- not an easy feat in a 36 G. Not at all. So, I've been visiting their website and ordering, because they don't carry the line in the Denver stores, except minimally. So, I've been getting emails about rating things and what I think, so I've been looking through it quite a bit.

The other day I was going in to rate my newest acquisition, an awesome honey-colored piece (sounds like I need to do a lingerie entry no?), and I saw an opportunity to set up an appointment with a personal stylist. I've always thought I'd be good at that, but I want to see what Nordstrom was offering. So I signed up, asking for an appointment. Very excitedly, I filled in my info, requesting an email response, and it told me I'd here back within 24 hours. So, I've been checking my email every thirty minutes or so for the last 2 days and still... nothing. I'm sad. I'm hoping that I'll hear something still, but I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't hear within the time frame advertised.

But all of this does pose the idea of letting people in to make judgement on style. Part of the thing is I know I will get into a rut. I mean, I would never purchase 4 of the exact same skirt and wear it all the time, never. Only I totally did. I know I'm overly obsessed with finding the perfect oversized cardigan and seeing what's out there. So that's why I'm pretty disappointed... Oh well I guess I can save the $120 I was planning on spending and take myself to a museum this weekend. And also get coffee. And maybe buy everyone in the bar a drink.

Defining and Inspiring Style

Style comes from everywhere. Television, movies, books, history, high fashion, street style, Vogue, art, etc. will serve as inspiration. But what happens when that ends?

I just finished watching the last season of Gossip Girl, aka my style inspirations. It wasn't hard to dig for those perfect styling moments, in fact it was easier to forget some. From Blair's effortless Elie Saab wedding dress to Serena's perfect Diane von Furstenberg at fashion's night out, and everything in between, the show screams fashion. It's so in fashion, one of spring's biggest trends is featured here...

...and it's been off the air since 2012!  The wrap headband is perfect. 

This point tonight is not to rehash my obsession with (what started as a) teenage gossip show, but to question where the next great fashion inspiration comes from for the individual. I can go on and on about Marc Jacobs and how his shows constantly influence my style choices, or how Burberry Prosum's spring 2014 line was like a little bit of heaven for me, but really I think that for most people, individual style comes from more accessible places- television, film, and magazines. 

So, while I can watch The Devil Wears Prada 15,000 times, it is always important to remember to branch out and find those new inspirations. I know for a lot of people American Hustle fits the bill. I think the movie is interesting, but there were fashion moments that transported me right out of the movie- a recent Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress can be seen on Amy Adams, which took a lot of my attention. 

Instead, I've been looking to bloggers and the internet for that inspiration. Carrie Bradshaw will always be  an inspiration, as will the Blair Waldorf, but now it's become more apparent that it's about tangible, real fashion- which is part of the past with current trends, taking back fashion for everyone. Instead of maxing out credit cards, it's maxing out what is in your closet. And I'd like to see that in pop culture. Instead of it being
"real"- movies and tv are rarely realistic- I want to see some real street style put into pop culture. See girls in high waisted pants and flowy shirts or an oversized sweater and leggings. But, I guess for now, we will have Girls and wait for the next network tv show to really nail current trends. 

Hiatus... Beauty... Fashion...

I married a job in 2012. Married it. Made it my entire life. For a year and a half. It exhausted me, made me hate everything about my life, fashion, beauty, and anything that made me happy- outside of food.

But this... this is important. This blog is important. I can make it anything. So, I'm coming back to it, committing to it. It will be an extension of a tumblr account I need to set up. But it will be.

So back to the point... The point is fashion... So my must-haves for early 2014.

1) Pleated maxi skirt.

The pleated maxi is really the quintessential piece to straddle the line between the eccentric 80's inspired fashion of the last few years and the minimalist 90's inspired fashion of 2014 and the next few years. It's soft and flowy, but still irreverent and fun. Dress it up with chunky heels, dress it down with boots, flats, or sandals. Add a casual sweater/sweatshirt and a chunky, sparkly necklace to achieve perfect street style.

2) Oversized sweater

Cozy, minimal, perfect for days off. Add it to leggings and boots and be chic and sophisticated. Throw it over a tank top, crop top, or casual tee and the maxi skirt above and make it cozy, funky, fun. Perfect for the cooler months, hold on to it for winter, spring, and fall.

3) Facial oil

The beauty trend of the season. Add it to my list of products I can't live without: BB/CC cream and the Chanel Les Beiges powder. The Boscia oil is perfect for my combo/oily skin, but provides radiance and hydration thanks to the addition of Camillia extract. It smells heavenly, feels luxurious, and the price point is manageable.

4) Pointy toe Mary Janes

In the words of Carrie Bradshaw "I thought they were an urban shoe myth!" Sexy, stylish yet simple: completely on point.

5) Deep lipstick.

Dark, deep, sexy. The throwback to the early 90's, be brave with the lip. Keep the eye light and simple to avoid looking goth, but be brave!

2013

Hi everyone!

I know, I haven't been around. Please forgive me. Work has me consumed, as well as dating. Or kind of dating. Or whatever. And realistically I have another "Blog" I'm running that I love and takes no work. However, I swear I am trying to be back here more. More commentary on shoes and skin and beauty and clothes...

Oh clothes...

That's the other part of the problem. The growth of fashion and trends is making me sad. Street style doesn't completely suck, but I'm sick of seeing hipster style clothing. I'm sick of that being the defining moment of style right now. I still want to see the high end, pretty girls, not girls who are trying to show they're down to earth using their clothes. It's okay to not have 10,000 patterns going on and 17 layers, with a hat or headband and scarf and long necklace and 14 bracelets and a cross body bag. IT'S NOT CUTE. I'm over it. Calvin Klein needs to usher in minimalism again.

So there's my apology. It's kind of half-assed, isn't it? Are you really surprised?

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.

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.