Lovely In Lavender

My jaw had nowhere to go but down, down, down to the floor when I saw the otherwordly, goddess-like  purple haze of sheer loveliness framing Cate Blanchett standing oh-so-stunningly on last night's Oscar red carpet.  Translation: My Best Dressed EVERYTHING.  For the touch of yellow beading alone.  Givenchy ... ya done good.  Pure and complete utter perfection.  Hands (and jaws) down.

Photo Source: Yahoo! Movies   

What I Want Now: Golden Glitter

In honor of the Oscars (my favoritest fashion show of the year), I thought I would pay homage to the golden boy himself by lining my eyes to mirror his most shiny self with the one color that the best of the best this theater year will be holding tightly in their grasps later tonight as they give their (hopefully) spontaneous and touching acceptance speeches.  I figured it's the least I can do ...

Photo Source: Refinery 29 

What I Want Now: Floral Socks

Clearly the whole ankle-sock-with-shoes thing aint goin' anywhere any time soon (which is totally fine by me, thankyouverymuch) so I thought it only appropriate after seeing the fabulous floral-on-floral fashion action happening above to go forth and find my own ankle-dwellin', pretty-penny-savin,' foot-warmin' sock pretties.  And these here Topshop pairs are the favorite of what I found (in no particular order): one, two, three, four and five ... which, in turn, I can only hope will make for some pretty darn happy feet.

Photo Source: The Sartorialist

What I Want Now: A Pink Pout

Please forgive me for the blasphemous, bite-your-tongue kind of statement/sentence I am about to write, but, sometimes even I (as hard as it is to believe) tire of the rubies and the brick reds of the lipstick world and want something a little different, a little brighter.  Thankfully, Wet n Wild understands and gives me just what I need with the hottest of hot pinks, their 511B Nouveau Pink hue, centered right smack dab in the middle of the picture above.  But don't worry, it's not like I've strayed that far from the original ... I mean, I'm sticking with the same color family, aren't I?  That's gotta count for something, right?

Photo Source: Wet n Wild

What I Want Now: More Moolah

Yep.  That's what I want.  More of the green stuff.  More dollars, more money, more cashola ... because, see, if I had what I really want right now that means I could buy every single dress, skirt and pant from the Begonia House collection I see over on the handmade (with love, I might add) Kelsey Genna Online Boutique.  And, as luck would have it, I just so happen to think I look quite ravishing in tangerine-colored tops and pink-y tutus anyway so it would be a total win-win kind of a situation.  You know, kind of like mo' money, no (style/wardrobe) problem(s).  You dig?

Photo Source: Kelsey Genna

What I Want Now: Big Old Bows

In my book - and apparently blue eye brown eye Lauren's too - there's nothing that a big ol' knitted bow can't fix.  Whether it's part of a darling 'do or the perfect finishing touch to a button-up and blazer combo, it just makes whatever you happen to be wearing that much cuter.  It's in the Style 101 rulebook too, I'll have you know ... well ... at least my rulebook.   

Photo Source: Emmadime  

What I Want Now: Lots O' Leather

Steering completely far far away from yesterday's whimsically girl-ified look is today's sudden wanting of nothing but leather ... and lots of it (is it any surprise to anyone at all to find out that my astrological sign is the twin/two-sided Gemini?)  I really, truly do change my mind at least a million times a minute.  So why not with my style/wardrobe wants too?  And I'd have no problem rockin' this tee with the skintight leggings above (I mean, how could I not?!) and then slipping into this look-at-me frock the next second.  And the cherry on top?  They're ALL on sale.  Yeah.  Lovin' leather at the moment.  Lovin leather ... A LOT. 

Photo Source: Quiksilver

What I Want Now: Whimsical Wears

Sometimes us girls just want to dress for the fun of it, no?  And nothing says fun to me more than Margery Daw and her too-cute-for-words wears.  And she's got quite the knack for impossibly adorable styling too that the girlie-girl in me just can't seem to get enough of: a braid-y bun on top o' the head, geeky chic horn-rimmed glasses, a ruby red pout, whimsical prints and little lacey ankle socks and dainty-ish shoes.  Could it be any more adorable?!  I don't think it's possible.  Not even if she tried.

Photo Source: Margery Daw

Denim Days: A Wedge Between Us

I'm having a torrid, toe-curling love affair. I'm cheating on my tried-and-true, never-once-did-me-or-my-many-styles-of-jeans-wrong high heels with every lustful thought that turns to anything boxy, platformed and/or wedged. I'm a cheater. And I'm so, so ashamed.

But I. Just. Can't. Stop. I find myself not being able to concentrate on anything but all the different denims I can pair them with and the time when I can again see them for another secret romantic rendevous at Need Supply Co.

The shame, the shame. And I fear this affair o-mine will put a permanent wedge between me and my ever-faithful and loyal heels. But if it feels (and looks) this good to be wrong, I don't think I ever want to be right.

Photo Source: Need Supply Co.

Denim Days: Fit To A Tee

I know I'm not alone when I say I was completely and totally all sorts of flabbergasted by Cait's beyond brilliant t-shirt printing skills when I first read about them.  Flab.  Ber.  Gasted.  And maybe just a teeny tiny smidge jealous too. Maybe.  But I also knew - just by looking down at these fumble-y and accident-prone mitts o' mine - that they wouldn't be able to produce anything even closely resembling her totally adorable tees that are both aesthetically and stylishly pleasing to the eye.  Even with a step-by-step tutorial that she so graciously provided to readers like me. 

Admittance is the first step, right?

So rather than taking matters into my own terribly unskilled hands, I've decided (thanks to Liz's heads up) I'm a-gonna let Urban Outfitters do all the handiwork instead.  With their new Custom Shoppe.  All I have to do is 1) choose which style of tee - I prefer men's tees since I like mine all big and loosey-goosey like - and 2) opt for UO's available graphics or upload my own.  Easy peasy.  And starting at just $28.  A price me and my non-crafty hands are so willing to pay for the hours of non-embarrassment alone we've saved in making the perfect piece to go with all my denim picks this week. 

Super duper awesome.

Photo Source: She's Got A Passion For Fashion 

Denim Days: Flared Up

True to my blogging word, me and my Banana card bought some 70s-ish pretty and pintucked high-waisted flares online over at the good ol' Gap. And we may have even scored a grey silky top that tucks oh-so-perfectly into them too.  But now after seeing the pic above, I'm a-thinkin' we need to find a fuzzy white sweater and a black turban to go with 'em as well.  With ruby red lips, of course.  But that should go without saying by now.

Photo Source: ALL THE PRETTY BIRDS

Denim Days: I Love The 80s

I am a proud product of the acid-washed and neon decade of the 80s.  And still holding out for my 'bad boy with a heart o' gold' that I can give one of my diamond studs to at the end of a very long day that will - with fist pumped high into the air - wanna be with lipstick-applyin' me.

Or for the guy named Jake that will stand outside the front of my house by his bright and shiny cherry red sportscar in his sweater vest and cuffed jeans that will confirm he's really there for me - even in my total state of flower wreath-wearin' bewilderment - and that will bring me a birthday cake, even if there's a few more candles than the proverbial sixteen placed on top of it. 

And for the clever, clever boy that will scheme and do anything  - and I mean anything - to break me out of the doldrums and monotony of another boring-ish day (a serenade via parade, anyone?) just because he wants to spend his only day off with little ol' me.  

And, last but not least, for Duckie sportin' the killer white wingtip shoes who knows the secret to really winnin' this heart o' mine - just try a little tenderness - that would escort me to my prom since my snobby would-be-date stood me up (the nerve!)  But I wouldn't be in a pretty pink frock, oh no.  I'd be in this acid-washed number that I just so happened to find over on With Lavender and Lace.  Popped collar and all.

Photo(s) Source: With Lavender And Lace  

Denim Days: Ripped, Tattered & Torn

There are times when I don't want to look all girly girl sweet and tailored in my jeans.  Times when I want to look a bit roughed up and kinda tough in shredded styles with a little leather thrown on top too.  Good thing I found just what I've been looking for at the aptly-named site, Need Supply Co.  Because I really want this fringe-y, on-sale-for-cheap pair.  Like a whole heckuva lot.  No, I pretty much need and gotta have 'em.  Enough said. 

Photo Source: Need Supply Co.

Denim Days: Jean Jumpsuit

I've been seein' these adult-ish denim onesies a lot lately.  On the likes of stars like Ellen Pompeo and this pictured black-booted beauty.  And I gotta admit, I'm kinda likin' what I'm seein'.  J.Crew has even jumped on the jumpsuit wagon with their own perfectly-faded version.  Only there are a bit too many dollar signs attached to the price of that particular piece.  Guess I'll just have to keep my eye out for a one that a smaller-walleted bargainista like me can afford. 

Photo Source: Stockholm Streetstyle

Table For One

Oh, Valentine's Day.  The day long-dreaded by singles everywhere.  But not by this one.  Not this year.  See ... I've got a one-up over all those lovey-dovey duos that have been hit with Cupid's bow: the ability to enjoy this delectable and decadently gorgeous pink and red dessert (Johnny Carino's February Only Raspberry Tiramisu) with just one fork, all by myself ... which also means absolutely no sharing allowed.  So Cupid, aim your arrow somewhere else, WAY over there this year because I'll be too busy savoring my own little slice o' heaven cake.  For one.  Not two.

Photo Source: Johnny Carino's 

Hair Do: Father Knows Best

When I first saw it, this image of Michelle Williams literally took my breath away.  And while I was trying to catch it again, it got me thinking that the ability to pick and choose the color of our hair may just be the best accessory of all when it comes to this hairdo thing.  I've said it before (and I'll probably say it again and again and again) that I have had some fun with it on my coif in the past: blue blacks, reddish oranges, strawberry blondes ... but never, NEVER have I felt more beautiful or most like myself than when I had the silvery, platinum, white hot hue. 

In fact, I was talking about it the other day with my dad when we saw some platinum pretty on the tv screen and he said, "You know, that haircolor was the best you've ever looked.  Really.  It was just ... you."  I smiled, brushed it off, but quickly realized something: I couldn't agree more.  So even if I'm enduring this strand-suffering, growing-out phase o' mine, it doesn't mean I can't have some fun with color along the way (as soon as I gather up enough pennies to pay for it, right?).  Guess it's true.  I should just give in and admit it.  Father really does know best.

Photo Source: Marie Claire

P.S. Check out this video and then try to tell me how I'm not supposed to kill two (hair) birds with one stone by chopping it off and dousing it in platinum.  Go on, tell me.  This is total tresses torture, people.  TORTURE.  Not gonna cut it ... NOT gonna cut it ...  AARRRGGGHH!!!

Hair Do: Flower Power

There are times when just one little flower in our hair simply won't do for our 'dos.  Times when we need to make a bold, look-at-me statement with our strands.  Times when we have to call upon the lustrous locks lovers, the magnificent mane makers and the brilliant bouquet brigade known as Love, Lulu Mae.  Take this beautiful (and pictured) bouquet in particular - where within its detailed description - you find that, alas, "... only one lucky fashionista is the proud owner of this piece and is now turning heads everywhere she goes."  Talk about flower power - and this coming from the proud piece-owner herself (thanks CC)!  Call me lucky, I guess.  Better yet, just call me the (oh-so-happy) head turner.  

Photo Source: Love, Lulu Mae

Hair Do: Little Star

Sometimes the best things in life come in the teeny-tiniest of small packages.  Just ask Sue of Giant Dwarf and her little star of a bobby pin.  When it comes to my coif, there are times when I just want a bit of sparkle ... nothing big, nothing grandiose ... just a small, simple something to pin back my unruly getting-longer-by-the-minute bangs (all the better to see you with, my dears) and I think this super star of a hair accessory could do just that ... and more.

Photo Source: Giant Dwarf

Hair Do: Hat Hair

A bad hair day.  It's happened.  And it's happened to the best of us ... always when we least expect it.  Where you wake up one morning, through sleepy eyes, wondering just how in the world you must have tossed and turned while sleeping the night before to end up with the nest 'do that you are, right now, staring bewilderingly at as you shuffle in front of your bathroom's mirror.

Luckily, I'm pretty sure that's exactly why the hat was invented.  For (bad hair) days just like this.  And like this too-cute and purple-y laced Trilby version.  You know, to chicly cover up a whole host of last night's sleepy time shenanigans.  Especially for us girls who don't think we look quite right in a boring old baseball cap anyway.  A bad (hair) day turned (stylishly) good.  All thanks to a little ol' (on sale) hat. 

Photo Source: ASOS 

Hair Do: DIY Flower Halo

I don't know of a girl who hasn't, at one time or another, worn some flowers in her hair.  So simple.  So natural.  So pretty.  You know, like this one or the red one resting so prettily above.  My flower of choice (usually neatly tucked behind one ear) was always the little yellow dandelions scattered across a lawn or playground's green grasses.  So when I saw this do-it-yourself flower halo over on Honestly ... WTF the other day, I not only discovered yet another solution to my no-cutting conundrum, but also found a way to recreate those cherished (and little yellow flower-filled) childhood memories too.

Photo Source: Honestly ... WTF  

Hair Do: Turban Tied

Look.  I wasn't blessed with the type of head that can pull off the slouchy and completely and totally cool style that a beanie permeates and can so effortlessly give off.  I blame my big ol' Tyra-esque forehead and newt-ish eyes for it all.  Too much of my face showin' to pull it off, in my opinion.  So any hair accessory that can be plopped atop any one of my hairdos and is so gosh darn pretty enough on its own that it puts all eyes on it, (and not my self-proclaimed ginormous features) I'm all for.  Like the velvet-y goodness of a turban I found wrapped around Ms. Rachel's bangin' and cascadin' curly head o' hair over on Smile and Wave.

And, as luck would have it, you can pick up your own right here at the site I was telling you to rush on over and stay awhile at in all its grand opening glory just yesterday.  But the longer I stare up at that bright blue pictured headwrap and its adorable accompanying 'do, the more it makes me want to grab a pair of scissors and snip, snip, snip away to create my own set of super cute schoolgirl-ish bangs.  I told you I was having short hair withdrawals.  I can just see it now - it'd start with a few snips here, but end up with a whole lot more snips over there.  I shouldn't.  Ooo, but I want to.  No.  I can't.  Must.  Put.  Scissors.  Down.

Photo(s) Source: Smile and Wave     

Hair Do: All Knotted Up

Here's the dealio, yo.  I've got short pixie cut hair withdrawals goin' on.  Super big time bad.  And in an attempt to squash any grab-the-scissors impulses I may be having, I'm going to be posting pretty hair dos that even I can do with my in-the-middle-of-growing-out shaggy mane every day this week.  Like Elsie's brilliantly knotted, silky scarfed 'do.  I mean, I've already got the scarf and with her (illustrated!) step-by-step styling instructions ... like I said ... even I (lover of the teeny tiny ponytails) can do this darling 'do.*

Photo Source: A Beautiful Mess

*P.S. Click on her new Red Velvet Online (premiering) today too!

Spring Shoe Awakening

NEWSFLASH: I love me some heels.  Of the highest-of-the-high-and-teetering variety.  You know, the ones where when you slip them onto your feet, and immediately start the internal clock's countdown knowing you can only walk for a total of about ten minutes to the absolute nearest seat in front of you just so you can oh-so-lovingly stare at them before slipping them right off as soon as you're out of the public's eye?  Yeah, thems sure are pretty.  Shocker, right?

But, I've decided I'm a-gonna leave them at home this season while I start to sport my newfound love and obsession for all things bright and cheery in color and rock the (sensible) wooden heel.  Like the Swedish Hasbeens Spring 2011 collection (especially the red-bowed pair)  that I first peeked at and found over on the Calivintage blog.  And I have a sneaking suspicion I'll be staring at these pretties just as much, if not more, than their highsteppin' - safely at home - sole sisters. 

Photo(s) Source: Swedish Hasbeens

Sunny Shenanigans

That darn joker, Mr. Sun, has been playing some mean old tricks again.  When I look out the window in the morning, I get all sorts of giddy seein' him up and shinin' oh-so-bright and get to thinkin' maybe warmer weather is here to stay, only to find as soon as I open my door, Mr. Wind has joined in on the pranking fun and blows so hard and so cold that I quickly realize I can't sport anything springy just yet like the adorable Ms. Emerson pictured above.  Nope. 

For now, I'll just have to settle for trying to stave off the chilly cold of the tricksters two and stay all bundled up and cozy-warm in outfits like this until Mother Nature and I can start playin' some weather-related tricks all our own ... when the temps really start to rise (anything above 60 degrees will do) and the super cute shorts officially come out, that's when we'll be havin' the last layer-less laugh ... when the joke's (finally) on them.  

Photo Source: EmersonMade 

Hello, Sunshine!

According to Wednesday's Groundhog Day reports, Mr. Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this year, meaning the prediction of an early spring.  Woo hoo!  Which is very good news for those of us in colder climates who are growing tired of the long lengths of time it takes to put on our layers and layers of thermals, sweaters, tights, jeans, socks, cardigans, coats, scarves and boots ... just to go outside to check the mail.

So it seems as if my springy, sartorial-minded wear wishes this week might actually have the chance of coming true much sooner than I ever thought.  And also the perfect time, I think, to introduce my newest clothing collection/infatuation ... Gillian Tennant's easy breezy (and most lovely of) looks I saw over on Greedy Girl's blog.

Now all I really want to do is peel off my many wintery layers (except for maybe my scarf) - just as soon as the sun peeks out and starts to shine from behind its cloud-covered hibernation - to wear nothing but billowy blouses in creams and yellows and the softest of soft whites and pinks in the most twirl-worthy skirts and dresses; perfect for Mr. Golden Sun's most anticipated (and most welcome) arrival.

Photo Source: Gillian Tennant

Master Mixologist

Speaking of red lips, I've mixed and made what I think to be the best creation since sliced bread.  Seriously.  It's that good, people.  Or something really, really close to it, at least.  And all it took was a teeny bit of boredom with the same old, same old and two of my favorite L'Oreal Color Riche shades: True Red and Volcanic and my (and possibly your) new fave lip hue was born.  In all its reddish, orange-y goodness.  Maybe I should start wearing a white lab coat and get some business cards that read Professional Lipologist under my name.  Yeah, I'm likin' the sound of that ...

Photo Source: Me 

Spring Has Sprung

Alexandra Grecco Fall 2010 from Karina Cifuentes on Vimeo.

In my mind, at least. And that's all that really matters, right?  It seems as if Alexandra Grecco and I are on the same little kick ... lusting after all things soft and pastel-y ... a throwback to the days of black eyeliner and reddish pink-like pouts. Where silky scallops and sparkly tap shorts are the uniform as cascades of curls drop down from the tops of girls' heads.  Reason enough to wanna dance, don't you think? 

Video Source: Alexandra Grecco  

Bare Necessities

I thought I'd carry my current obsession with pretty little underpinnings over yet another day by mentioning The Loved One's line of lovely lingerie.  A line that I have no doubt would instantly make you feel all bombshell-y and gorgeous from the first pull on.

Isn't it about time that we ladies feel like that again?  That we start shopping and dressing for ourselves and no one else (that is, unless we choose to do so)?  To wear things underneath it all that make us feel special for no other reason than because we want them to?  I think so.

So go ahead and treat yourself to some bare necessities of your own.  Because The Loved One is offering all these pieces on pre-sale now and I have a feeling that they won't be available long.  I may even treat myself to my own Valentine's Day giftie this year.  Just because I can.

Photo(s) Source: The Loved One