Thursday, May 17, 2012

Hair Love

I'm in a bit of a hair rut lately. I've been too lazy in the mornings to do much of anything beyond a top knot (which I love, but isn't the most professional look in the world). I am just lacking the motivation to pick up the blow dryer or the curling iron in the mornings. 

So for some inspiration I took to pinterest (where else) and found some exciting new style options




But I love me some beachy summery waves. 


What could be prettier? I found this recipe for homemade sea spray, and I'm totally trying it once I get home from Puerto Rico. I'll let you know if my thin fine hair can stand this kind of styling.


P.S. I think I'm depressed for my hair, because come mid may in DC the humidity around here ramps up like nobody's business. I think it's worse than Georgia. MEANING my hair wont hold the curls I work on so hard. I mean really, they generally fall out by the time I get to work. 

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Guest Post: Office Style


I have a treat for y'all today. I have a great guest post for you today from one of my favorite blogs:
These are three lovely sisters who have a great sense of style! Go visit them here I know you'll love them! They are going to talk to you about workplace style, something I could use some help with. Please show them some love! Take it away ladies


The workplace can be a drag but your wardrobe doesn't have to be, so kick off your early morning work days with style. You too can look chic from nine to fine and we're going to show you how!
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If your job is strict on dress attire go for the neutral shades (black, grey, navy and khaki) and pick a couple of accent pieces. Get yourself a couple of pants, skirts, blazers, cardigans and shirts all in neutrals and use the accent pieces like a scarf, necklace or earrings to give it a little pop of color. 


Black may be a sophisticated and safe color to wear to work but it can be a bit...boring. "The colors you wear in a professional setting are about so much more than mere fashion or style," says Sheila Dicks, professional style coach and founder of the Fashion Expert Network 


"Colors send subconscious messages, and can affect your mood, as well as the mood of the workers around you." Cool huh? So we say go for it!  


You can take that LBD (you know the one we're talking about) or grey and pair it with a blazer that screams color me happy!  Wear it with a simple silk blouse or take a solid blazer and pair it with your favorite dress.
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Taking a simple geometric skirt and paring it with a blouse is another look you can try. Even a bright skirt will work as long as the top part is a neutral color, don't forget the neutrals :)
Ideally, I would look like this at work every day.
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A black skirt suit doesn't have to be just that. By adding a scarf or a colored or patterned blouse can give this look a face lift.
need this suit to fit perfectly for work at David's Bridal!
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Perfect for under a suit at work, or with jeans for evening casual!
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If your job has casual Fridays, take one of your work blouses and pair it with dark denim. This look below is simple yet chic and leopard flats will go perfectly in completing the look. 
Going semi-casual. Blue jeans day at work, maybe? Or Friday date-night?
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If you really want to brighten up your day at work go for wearing two bright colors like the look below. The soft pink blouse is paired with an orange flare pant, talk about effortlessly chic. 
Would LOVE to try this at work
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If your office is strict on the dress code and everyone walks around with their noses in the air, you can dress up a simple skirt and button up blouse with a little edge. A skinny leopard belt is the perfect way to do so. It's an unexpected little surprise and those people with their nose in the air will be looking down... at your fabulous style!  

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Cardigans are your best friends, befriend them and love them. Why you may ask, because they are the easiest way to add color to your work wardrobe. 

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All these looks can definitely go from nine to fine by simply switching your shoes or taking off your blazer and adding a statement necklace. Just make sure you pack it in your work bag so you won't miss happy hour! 

 

Play dress-up in your closet and mix all your accessories, pumps, flats, and clothing items to see what goes with what. It's okay to mix prints or to add a pop of color. You can take pictures to ask family and friends to look at or better yet, have a girls night in and have your girlfriends come over for food, music and champagne while you model for them. Think Sex in the City, what fun! 
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Consignment and thrift stores are excellent places to shop around at, you'll be surprised at 
what you find. But in the meantime, here are some great finds that you can wear from nine to fine with no ands ifs or buts!

modcloth_35
Modcloth
$34.99
Forever 21
$24.80
hm_35
H&M
$34.95
Asos_54
ASOS
$52.19
Express
$17.43
Does your work wardrobe need a face lift? Do you like wearing color to work? What is your normal work attire? Let us know in the comments.

Big thanks to Emily for asking us to guest blog, it was great =)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

{Beauty Tuesday} Coastal Scents

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

This beauty Tuesday I want to talk to you about one of my go to makeup palettes. The Coastal Scents 88 Original. 

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I know right? It's a tad bit crazy. I was turned onto coastal scents by the one and only Emily Eddington of Beauty Broadcast. I've been lusting over their crazy colored palettes for months, and with a recent 30% off sale, I finally pulled the trigger. 

I went back and forth on which palette to get a whole bunch. I was down to the Original and the Neutral, but decided to go out of my comfort zone a bit and try the colorful original. When I first received it in the mail, I'm not going to lie, I was horrified. The colors are SO pigmented and bright. Some are matte, some are shimmery. There aren't too many neutrals, and SO many blues? who wears blue eye shadow besides a prostitute from 1985?  

Well apparently this girl does, because I have to say I love this palette to death now. I just had to learn how to use it. 
  1. Use the color sparingly: I like using the blue/greens/purples as a light accent in the crease
  2. Use lots of neutrals to balance: you can deepen the crease with some of the great blacks, or use the lighter colors for an all over shadow.
  3. Use the darker colors for a smudged liner- do a light smokey eye and instead of liner thinly apply to upper lash line (I love the greens and dark blues with my blue eyes).
  4. Have fun with it: go crazy with the color, but as long as you're rocking it, I promise you'll pull it off. 
I will say, I'm still not really sure how to use the reds (and the yellows for that matter). They just do not work with my skin coloring.

I want to be honest with y'all, so I will give you one more critique. The colors are are very pigmented, so if you are buying blushes, bronzers, or even the eye makeup and you are super fair (like me), make sure you use a light hand. These products are really better for someone with a slightly darker complexion (if you're already tan you'll love this). This may be a positive for you, or a negative. But I feel that you should know, I have to use the face products sparingly (I still use and love them though!)

If you are looking for something fun to add to your collection, with out breaking the bank I would highly recommend Coastal Scents. They even sent me a few samples with my first purchase, and it got here SO fast! They are even having a sale right now! 

P.S. Happy Birthday to My Mom! We are currently relaxing by the pool in Puerto Rico. I know, rough way to turn 60. 

Friday, May 11, 2012

{Friday Cocktail} Skinny Southern Sweet Tea

Happy Friday from Little Rock, Arkansas! I am VERY happy to be back home in the south. Warm weather, some pool time, BBQ and real sweet tea. I am a true southerner that's for sure. 

With that in mind I wanted to tell you about my newest discovery. 

Skinny Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka.

Bam. 

You're welcome. 

I know. This is an amazing discovery, that I found via my new blogging idol Kelly. I may or may not mix my firefly with water and sip on it as if it was regular tea. Don't judge me. I love that stuff. Do you know what's even better than that? If you mix it with lemonade. Shut up, I know. 

Today let me tell you about the cocktail we are sipping on poolside today. Make it in a pitcher, because you'll want to share and sip on this for hours. 

  • 1 cup Firefly Skinny Tea
  • 1 cup low cal lemonade (aka crystal light)
  • handful of mint, divided
  • 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Lemon slices
In the bottom of the pitcher muddle about half the mint with brown sugar and water. Let that stand for 5 minutes for the mint to release its flavor, why don't you mix up the lemonade while you wait. 

Add the Firefly and Lemonade. 

Serve over a glass full of ice. 

1 batch should serve 4-6 (depending on how big your glasses are)

I'm home for my sister's college graduation/Mother's day. On Monday we are off to Puerto Rico to celebrate my Mom's 60th birthday!

Have a great weekend lovelies. 

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