Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts

NEW


Hey guys!  I listed some new necklaces in the 'ol Etsy shop this weekend.  I'm especially excited about the new glitter polka dot design- polka dots are so cute!  Please take a look and spread the word! 

Nailed It

 
 
Hey ya'll.  You guys like nail polish?  I know I do. 
I seem to buy about 2 new polishes a week at this point, which may sound a lil crazy but it's my jam and I work hard (justify, justify, justify).  My new go-to brand is the L'oreal polish, which has taken a turn for the better lately.  It's usually $3.99, has a trendy and on-point color selection, and the quality is right up there with polish mainstays like O.P.I. and Essie.  Two of my favs lately have been "Jet Set to Paris", a bright royal blue (above), and "Tea & Crumpets" (below), a perfect fall neutral which I sassed up by sticking some gold leaf on top.  It was actually much easier than you probably think, I had some gold leaf that I bought at the craft store and just pulled off bits of it and stuck it here and there all over my nails.  It doesn't have to be neat and orderly so anyone can do it.  It's a great look for this fall!  What are some of your favorite polishes?
 
 
 

New Pieces!








 I added some new styles to the Etsy shop today....

you should go check them out!!!



DIY Painted Clutch




I've been seeing all these great hand painted clutches here, here, and here on the internet and was very curious to try it myself.  Most people have been using the American Apparel clutches for this, but at $50 I was a little concerned that I would be spending too much money on something I didn't totally love.  I finally managed to find a clutch I liked on sale for under $20 and we were in business.

At the craft store, I purchased:
1. Painter's tape 
2.  A sponge brush 
3.  Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint

I used a ruler and pen to measure and mark the area I wanted to paint, roughly the lower third of the bag.  Then I applied the painter's tape around all four sides of the area I wanted to paint.  Make sure to really press down on the tape, you don't want any paint sneaking in under there!
Then I painted and let dry between each coat.  I think I did 8 coats.  It took a lot of paint to cover up the pattern on this bag!  Then I peeled off the tape and viola- this adorable clutch!
 
 

Here it is in action! I love love love it.

Holiday Gift Guide


Hey guys! I felt the need to write a gift guide this year and then after I did, I realized it was pretty girly. I guess it makes sense considering I'm a girl, and I'm assuming most of my readers are girls... so without further ado, here it is- Blend's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide for the Ladies! Enjoy.


Can you believe there is a new book about Diana Vreeland out?!? I'm dying! Written by Lisa Immordino Vreeland (who is married to Diana's grandson), this book features more than 350 illustrations, including original magazine spreads and many famous photographs. Heaven!
Marisa Berenson: A Life In Pictures
I've been obsessed with Marisa Berenson ever since I watched Cabaret when I was 19. For me she is the perfect mix of worldly glamour and 70's inspiration.
70's Style & Design
Speaking of the 70's... this book is amazing! A must have for the fashion obsessed.


Midwest Maude Ornaments
Inspired by Enid Collins, these ornaments are so fantastic I felt as if I had found something I was looking for my whole life! They come in tons of color combos and are perfect for any woman in your life.
Dylan's Candy Bar Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
I'm obsessed with sweet & salty combos and this one sounds so good. Wouldn't you love to find this in your stocking Christmas morning? Yum.
Did you know that a Dylan's Candy Bar is opening next year in Los Angeles? Color me excited!
West Elm Hand Blocked Triangle Pillow Cover
If there is one thing in life I stress out about, it's throw pillows. I feel like they say so much about a person, so I don't want them to be too crazy or trendy. When I saw these gold beauties at West Elm, I knew my year-long search had ended. These would fit into just about any decorating scheme- and don't forget to buy some pillow inserts!


Dorothy Thorpe Glassware
I find the best way to find and collect this Mad Men-ish style is to do a simple Ebay search for: you guessed it- Dorothy Thorpe Glassware!
I'm super into the idea of using just one huge ice cube to keep your drink cold- since there is less surface area, these cubes keep your cocktails chilled without diluting the flavor. Adds that extra special touch to any get together.
I'm partial to this set of six by Schott Zwiesel. The simplicity of the design lets your cocktail take center stage, and the Tritan-infused glass resists scratching and breakage.

Cross Stitch Necklaces


I am so happy to announce my new line of cross stitch necklaces, available for sale on Etsy!
A few months back, I had just finished a large scale cross stitch project and was looking for something new and exciting to pique my interest and also present a challenge.  I began stitching tiny cross stitch patterns, seeing how much detail and color I could fit into a small space. 
At the same time, I had been looking for necklaces that were very long in length and I couldn't find any.  One day inspiration struck and I decided to put the two ideas together.  I'm so pleased with how they turned out and I hope you like them too.  Please check out my shop on Etsy and help spread the word!




Perfect Winter Shoe


The biggest difference between my old life in Portland and my new one here in LA is the weather.  It's so much nicer here but it still gets a little bit chilly and it rains sometimes.  So I do need one pair of sturdy closed toe shoes for this season.  I was thinking oxfords but I couldn't really find a pair that I totally loved, they all seemed so manly.  Then my friend Lauren sent me a link to these and I totally fell in LOVE.  The color is perfect, it will match everything.  They are Borns, so- totally comfortable.  But the best part is the ultra girly black velvet laces!  The perfect compromise between a fashionable shoe and an everyday stalwart.  Buy them here.

Hats Are Back!



According to several fashion magazines and Huffington Post articles, the hat is the new "must have" accessory for ladies this season.
I have always been a hat person.  I was quite adventurous when I was younger, see the bonnet and bucket above, but these days I prefer something a little more fashion forward.  This Philip Treacy inspired number with netting and feathers fits the bill perfectly!
I urge all you ladies and gentlemen out there to embrace all manner of hats this fall.  Let's keep this trend going as long as we can!

I Heart Zara

Just when I think that I have seen the best that Zara can do, they blow my mind again!  I am loving all of the new designs for this season, especially the dresses.
This dress is basically the F/W 2011 version of the look I have worn every fall for the past 10 years or so- the simple black boat neck three quarter sleeve day dress.  Me likey.

The Fall


This is the first, and possibly only, prediction I am going to make in the beauty/fashion arena as far as the upcoming fall season is concerned.  For whatever reason, I could not seem to form one idea or opinion as to what the trends next season were going to be.  I haven't seen the fall Vogue yet, I thought, as soon as I see that I will totally know!  I kept asking people-"What do you think will be in this fall?" and they kept saying "I don't know".  I felt suspicious and angry, like they were holding out on me. 
I was at the drugstore the other day and instantly felt drawn to this almost ugly, very orange-y deep copper nail polish and it suddenly clicked:  this was going to be so in this fall.  So I bought it.  Mission accomplished!
Oh also- Navy is going to be HUGE.

Lee Radziwill in Capri

{image via The Sartorialist}

I just saw this shot of Lee Radziwill on The Sartorialist and I was overwhelmed with the greatness.
I love everything in this photo.  The Schiaparelli-esque lobster clutch, the laid back bohemian tunic with matching nail polish, the glass of champagne, just enough jewelry, perfect hair, and most of all- the mile long cigarette ash! 

New


I indulged in a little bit of therapy this past weekend, of the retail variety.
I'm trying out a new walking/work out regimen and this water bottle was my reward.  Plus it's my 3 favorite colors- orange, teal, and stripe (yes, stripe is a color!). 


Essie "cute as a button" nail polish.


New shirts in my favorite color!

One Last Thing...

Best Dressed
Victoria Beckham F/W 2011 Midnight Blue Dress, matching Philip Treacy Hat, custom made Christian Louboutins.  I just wish Becks would have actually worn the top hat! 

Just So You Know...

I won't be happy until this is my life! 
Maybe I'd settle for just the shoes...

Royal Choice

{Image via Marie Claire UK}

I am very excited about the Royal Wedding!  How about you?
I wish I could stay up tonight to watch it live but I know how tired and cranky I get, and I think watching the reruns all day tomorrow will be fine. 
Speculation has run rampant about the designer of Kate Middleton's dress but when I saw the above image I was smitten, this stunning design is what I would choose.  I think Kate needs a coat of armor to prevent her from the storm of craziness coming her way.  I hope she's prepared for it.

Swedish Hasbeens for H&M





I spent some time at the Beverly Center this morning in line for the Swedish Hasbeens/H&M collaboration.  It wasn't as crazy as other collaborations for H&M have been, like when people camped out overnight for the Lanvin collection.  I was the first one in line and there were only about 15 people freaking out over these darling wooden soled shoes.  Unfortunately they didn't make the shoes in my size but at least I was able to get a couple pairs for my friends back in Portland who didn't have access to them.  And I purchased a fabulous ring for myself! 

{The cutest thing ever was a girl holding 2 pairs of shoes, jumping up and down on the phone with her friend squealing "I got them, I got them!"  It was adorable.  I love it when people are excited about fashion!}

Aquisitions


I wanted to show you the new wood and brass rings I just got- I've been wearing them every day. 
They both have a kind of lovely organic curve to them and go together very well.

{Sometimes Strudel won't stay out of the shot so you just have to go with it!}

 

Bold Statement



Moroccan poufs and Maxi dresses.
Two things everyone loves that I just...don't.

Bling Bling



I don't wear much jewelry (I always feel like I'm trying too hard) but I do love giant oversized cocktail rings.  I buy most of them from Forever 21 for like 5 bucks and my collection keeps growing and growing.  Plus, they could come in really handy in a street fight.
There is this funny little lady that comes into my work all the time, we don't speak much of the same language but she always points at the jewelry and says "bling bling".  Lil Wayne really should have trademarked that phrase when he had the chance!