Fashion rules to live by

I am all for being a fashion risk taker, wearing black and brown accessories together? YES! open toe shoes with tights? YES! Biker boots and a Sun dress? Absolutely! However there are a few rules that should be kept.
This weekend Kim Kardashian got married, among her wedding guests was Lindsay Lohan who wore a a full length  satin white dress! A huge No No.
Fashion Rule number 1 to follow : Do not try to upstage someone on their big day,  wearing a white dress to a wedding that is not yours is tacky , you can wear any color in the rainbow save the white for the person who shelled out the money to make sure you have a good time.



Fashion rule number 2 to follow : No panty lines, I can't understand why in this day and age I still see women in tight clothes with FULL bottom panty lines. I understand that some thongs can be uncomfortable but there are so many options for a smooth looking backside. Spanx smoothers, Hanky Panky underwear , and good old commando all look better then horrible big panty lines.



Fashion Rule to follow number 3 : Too tight clothing, I admit it I have been guilty of this crime a time or two, Just because you Can fit into those jeans doesn't mean you should wear them.Clothes that are too tight tend to make you look heavier , so even though you can squeeze into those size 26 jeans the muffin top it creates is not flattering! It's just ego, cut out the tags if it makes you feel better.

To Spanx or not To Spanx that is the question

Taylor Swifts wardrobe malfunction is splashed all over the blogs today, yet I have seen no mention the fact that she has a pair of Spanx on! I am no expert (ha!) but I believe she has on Booty boost shorts. I am sure you guys are like why the hell is such a young tall skinny drink of water like Ms. Swift wearing Spanx?
Well The short answer is Spanx have come along way baby!
Take the pair I believe Taylor is wearing Booty Boost shorts, the suck in the tummy and hips while giving your butt a lift (not all of us can be Kim K )
Spanx offers control from a little skinny britches which are a high waist panty, to Super Duper control like the slimmer and shine slip.
I do not work for Spanx but I get it, who does not want to feel 5 pounds slimmer instantly? Do I have Spanx, well you will just have to wait to see during my malfunction.

Celebrities have their hands in everything

By now we all know that Jessica Simpson has a clothing line worth over a billion dollars!

The Celebrity clothing line is nothing new, However there are some very business savvy celebrities out there who have lent their name to some unexpected products.

First we have Rachel Bilson best known from The O.C. she has a new show coming out this Fall but what few know is she also has a line of dishware!!!!! It is called Edie Rose it is available at Macy's , totally affordable and really adorable.

Another chic and unexpected line is The beautiful and timeless model Iman's line of fabrics, the patterns are hip, and bold available at Calico corner and perfect for curtains or accent pillows.

 

Lastly and in a more" duh I could have told you that vain" Jenni "J Wow" from Jersey shore has started a line of self Tanning products named Black Bronzer, hey if Snooki gets slippers and Ronni gets Xenadrine and The Situation gets whatever will have him why shouldn't Jenni get to Tan?

Mad Men Style Made Easy

It was just announced that Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant is teaming up with Banana Republic to bring Mad Men fashions to a Mall near you.
All these years later and we are still completely obsessed with Mad Men. It represents a kind of sexy cool that we don't see anymore. The way Joan shows no skin but is still the sexiest thing on t.v. amazes us. It is no wonder Banana Republic jumped on the chance to be a part of the phenomenon.
If you love Mad Men fashion but don't want to wait for the Banana Republic to bring out their line, or If you just want to do something different this weekend here are a few easy ways to bring some Mad Men sex appeal to your life.
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First and fore most the dress is key
When dressing  Mad Men Style a fitted bodice is a must whether the dress is A-line or fitted all the way down, it all starts with a fitted bust!
Patterns and Colors scream 60's
Leopard is a major key in The Banana Republic line but it is not the only 60's era pattern out there. Big florals and hounds tooth are also great options. Bright colors like Green, Pink, and Royal Blue give the LBD a run for it's money.

Don't forget the small touches.
When doing Mad Men accessories are paramount skinny belts, gloves, fishnets and a clutch can make even a modern outfit look vintage.When in doubt red lipstick,liquid eyeliner,hot rollers, and a cocktail will do.

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Believe it or not...DIY Bronzer!

On Friday I shot a fashion segment  at The Lotta Stensson Boutique. I hope to post the footage this week. When I woke up Friday morning I realized "I need a Tan" I rummaged through my bathroom drawers only to realize I was out of  Bronzer, In a slight panic I googled make your own Bronzer not really expecting anything to come up to my delight and surprise I found the following recipe.
I had some hesitation about putting CoCoa Powder on my body but I figured it can't be any worse then the Mystery ingredients of my usual Lancome Bronzer. The mixture took only a few minutes to apply can easily be adjusted  by adding more lotion and mixing.
When I arrived at the shoot the VERY first thing the make-up artist said to me was "That my skin looked luminous" If that is'nt an endorsement for the DIY Bronzer then I don't know what is.


1.     DIY Self-Tanning Lotion (from Niki Leigh Spa) This one blew my mind.  Two ingredients, one fabulous tan.  (You may need to adjust for your skin tone, and remember that this is NOT waterproof.)  Perfect for a natural bronze look, and it smells yummy, too!

Ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon white unscented lotion
• 1 tablespoon pure cocoa powder

“Mix the lotion and cocoa powder together until very smooth and creamy, and apply with a sponge or makeup wedge.  Your tan will last until your next shower.”

Crochet Is Not Just For Granny!

I confess! right when I woke up this morning I searched for pictures of last nights Mt.v. Movie Awards. Of all the starlets in all their varying interpretations of red carpet glam the one that stuck out most to me was Katie Cassidy in a stunning White Floor Length Crochet Catherine Malandrino dress. Besides the fact Katie looked stunning I was most taken by the way Crochet has become for lack of a better word "hip" .There are so many new and current ways to rock Crochet here are just a few. First the stunning Catherine Malandrino   look from last night.

Here is another Red Carpet Crochet look you may have missed from a few months back. Cate Blanchett in a Crochet asymmetrical dress.


If the thought of a Crochet dress is starting to make you feel like a doily then try a stament  piece such as a purse or other accessory

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If you do not have the crafty jean then try online shopping for handmade Crochet items. ETSY has amazing pieces to suit all tastes.

Summer Beauty trends to try right now

It is almost here ...My single favorite time of year SUMMER! I"m here to give you trends that are truly head turning.
Trend 1# NEON
From Nail Polish to Clothes to Home Decor Neon is everywhere this Summer. The Neon of 2011 is much more refined then the eyesore 80's shades of yester year. You do not have to glow in the dark to follow this trend try a few of these toned down versions. Essie known for amazing polish has just come out with a fresh line of Neon Hughes.


This Summer instead of using paper plates at your bbq opt for these gorgeous neon blue dish ware set,your guests will love them!


For the truly fearless who love to go all out take the neon trend to the next level with these amazing Manolos



The neon trend truly does have something for everyone you just need to go out and find one you like.

Easy eye deas

I finally got around to cleaning out the garage and found a copy of the Kevin Aucoin book "Making Faces"it struck me how talented and innovative he was.Kevin truly believed that the eyes were the windows to the soul so when he did makeup he really focused on the eyes. Being truly inspired I trolled the internet for tips and tricks to making the most out of your peepers. Enjoy!

1. Fight droop.
Lightly shade the area just above the arch of your brow with a nude or white liner and blend, advises Jo Davis, artistic director for Trucco Cosmetics. "This subtly lights up your face and creates the illusion of higher brows and lids, which is great for droopy or tired eyes," she says.

2. Smudge-proof your liner.
Apply it with a pencil or a tiny brush, then trace over the line with a matching powder shadow. To make it last even longer: Wet your shadow brush with Visine first.

3. Make your eyes look larger.
Place a lash curler at the roots of your lashes, then slowly "walk" it out to the tips, pressing as you go, says Sydney, Australia, makeup expert Napoleon Perdis.

4. Outsmart your mascara.
Love the waterproof kind but hate wrestling to remove it? Celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose applies a coat of regular mascara first, then tops it with waterproof. "This way, the waterproof formula locks onto the other mascara instead of your lashes, so it comes off more easily — when you want it to," he says.

5. Widen your eyes.
To look more refreshed, use white or nude eyeliner — but this time, below your eyes, not above. Pull down gently on your undereye and trace the line between the lower lashes and the inside rim. Stop before you reach your tear ducts.

bathroom storage DIY

O.K. full disclosure I have not tried this out YET but I came across it and had to share asap.
I have so many candles , products and cachkes so when I came across this simple chic and easy dyi it seemed perfect!



All you need to do is get Cubbies at the hardware store and mount them on your bathroom wall and Viola! space +decor...you see why I had to share immediately!

hair down to there is everywhere

Every time I see a picture of Kim Kardashian I am struck by how beautiful and lush her hair looks. Either God given or track by track Long hair is everywhere.  I say we have reached the point where all that hair is becoming border line ridiculous.
I was watching the today show and they had  psychiatrist Dr. Robbi Ludwig on.I could not concentrate on a single word she was saying I was totally engrossed by her waist long bleach blonde hair extensions....I get it psychiatrists can be sexy too...but where do we draw the line? I say above the bra line is a good start!
Super long hair does not make you look younger, or sexier. It makes faces look long and horse like. It also looks fake even if it is your real hair.

Hardware Store Necklaces

It's Winter and whether it be rain, sleet, snow or just cold keeping you at home I am sure if you are like me you are developing a bad case of cabin fever.I have been racking my brain trying to come up with easy and cheap DIY projects to keep myself busy. Here is my first one. inspired by statement necklaces from this past weeks fashion week in New York. When looking at these necklaces I was struck with how easy they they seem to be to make, first I set out for the hardware store and grabbed a variety of nuts and bolts also be sure to make your way over to the copper piping section (looks just like rose gold!!) Next I went to Joann's fabrics and bout ribbon in different lengths and colors.Then back home to start my project!!! There is no real method to designing the necklaces, trust me once you lay out all the materials they almost make themselves.

Winter Flower Arrangements

Fresh flowers always set you back a fair bit especially in the Winter Months when Fresh Flowers have to be flown   in from warmer climates. So to save some green and to be a little more "green" try to using plants instead of flowers around the house.
Moss works the best, it is easy to handle and perfect accented with shells or candles.
place Moss on a large round dish , pack the entire surface with moss , place tea lights on the moss and enjoy!

Another easy and chic idea is to take long plant leaves and wedge them into a class vase...make sure you overlap the leafs. Fill Vase 3/4 with water. Place fern or other bushy plant leaf in water. Easy right?

If you have no DIY skills and still want to make a center piece the easiest thing to do is go to your local florist and pick up chrysanthemums balls. Should run about 10 dollars for two balls. They last up to two weeks and can be arranged in a million different ways to give anywhere a sophisticated vibe.

Goof proof your Makeup

Flipping through trashy magazines at the gym I saw a picture of Eva Longoria , her normally beautiful face was masked behind a ton of not blended concealer. Who can forget Nicole Kidman walking the red carpet with a face full of powder? Got me thinking that celebrities really are just like us!!! Makeup that is not blended properly, or the wrong tone or just to darn much of it can be a gaffe.Being told you have lipstick on the teeth ring a bell?

I asked my dear Friend Lisa who is a Hollywood makeup artist what are some easy fixes for common makeup mistakes, here are a few suggestions and also a list of my fav products that really help in a pinch.

Mistake 1) The "Eva" wrong shade of concealer. This is one of the most common makeup boo boos and yet it has such an easy fix.  Buy a different concealer...no seriously! Buy a concealer palette. What a palette offers is multiple colors in your same skin tone so you can create your perfect shade. The Palette I use is Bobbi Brown (former makeup artist..current makeup goddess) in honey new $34.99.

Mistake 2) The" Nicole" Visible powder. Weather you use pressed or loose powder if you can see it ,you are using it wrong. The problem with most  powders is they sit on skin instead of blending into it.If you are using powder to cut down on shine you should try using an Anti -Shine. An Anti-Shine is a colorless oil absorber you can wear it with or without foundation. I use Smash box compact anti-shine $28.00. 

If you use powder to cover imperfections try using a foundation/powder combo like MAC Studio Fix plus foundation 26.00. Studio fix is great because it has a touch of liquid concealer so it goes on smooth.

Mistake 3 the "Every women" lipstick on the teeth. Easiest fix of them all after you put on your lipstick/ lip gloss on open your mouth put index finger in your mouth and pull out, this will remove any lipstick from the inside of your lips and keep it from getting on your teeth. 

Feel free to Smile at everyone

10 minute wall art

I finally getting around to putting my life back together after the holidays and a big part of that is organizing my closet, making room for new clothes by getting rid of old ones. I realized I had quit a t-shirt collection going on.  I usually Good Will most old clothes but I decided to make a project out of the old t-shirts instead. 

First I went to Aaron Brothers Art Mart and got some picture frames ranging in size and shapes.

Next placed the  T-shirt in center of frames and cut the excess material.

Lastly I hung them.

It took me longer to find a parking spot at the Frame store then to finish my project!!!! 

DIY Ombre

Every where I  look the past few seasons Ombre keeps popping up from linen napkins ,to bedding to Rachel Bilsons hair..... Some of you may be thinking what the hell is Ombre...well the simple answer is Ombre is a fashionista term for shading. Ombre is the sophisticated big sister of tie dyed which means anyone can do it at home. That is exactly what I did. Drawing inspiration from a back issue of West Elm I was flipping through at the Mani Pedi place I decided to ombre dye my new white shower curtains. Here are the easy instruction,.Ombre is also a great way to re-purpose lightly stained items.
.For a 1/2 Pound of Fabric

1 1/2 cups noniodized salt
1 1/2 gallons warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons dye
1/6 cup (2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons) soda ash fixer

For 1 Pound of Fabric
3 cups noniodized salt
3 gallons warm water
1 tablespoon dye
1/3 cup soda ash fixer

3. Cover work surface and floor with drop cloths. Saturate fabric with water; wring it until no longer dripping. Smooth fabric. Decide how far dye will extend, and mark limit with straight pins on right and left sides of fabric. Divide area to be dyed into 5 even segments, and mark intervals with pins. (For specific folding and pinning instructions, see Project Variations, below.)

4. Position bin for dye solution near basin or tub. Dissolve salt in warm water in bin, according to formula. (Note: You'll want the liquid to reach a minimum depth of 4 inches.) Wearing gloves and mask (some dyes can be toxic), measure dye, and place it in a bowl. Add 1 or 2 teaspoons warm water, stirring with a nonreactive utensil to make a paste. Slowly add 1 cup warm water, and stir until dye dissolves completely and mixture forms a slurry. Add the slurry to bin, stirring until mixed. Measure soda ash fixer, and place it in second bowl; add about 2 cups hot water slowly, stirring until dissolved. (Avoid splashing, as fixer is caustic.)

5. Add the soda ash fixer mixture to the dye solution, mixing well for about 30 seconds. The solution will remain potent for about 1 hour and cannot be reused.

6. Place prepared fabric in dye solution, immersing it to the topmost pins; hold in place for 30 seconds. (The damp fabric will draw dye up, creating blurred gradations.) Raise fabric until solution's surface aligns with second set of pins; hold for 1 minute. Raise fabric to third set of pins; hold for 5 minutes. Repeat at remaining 2 pinned levels, holding for 5 minutes each.

7. Carefully transfer dyed fabric to basin or tub. Fill with cold running water, swishing gently to rinse. Drain. Repeat until liquid remains clear.

8. Machine-wash fabric in hot water with professional textile detergent. Machine- or air-dry.

New Year, New Beauty Rules

It is a New Year which means out with the old and in with the new ....Beauty rules that is!!!! Seemingly we live in an age where anything goes beauty wise ( Lady Gaga raw meat outfit ring a bell?) If your not that adventurous and most of us aren't. I compiled a list of old beauty rules that need to be broken immediately!
1) Mixing Brown and Black clothes is a no no....
Not only is this rule outdated but wearing Brown and Black together is a chic staple. Think Black Leggings and tall Brown boots or LBD with a Brown woven belt.


2) Colored eyeliner/eyeshadow is dated.
Colored Eyeliner/Eyeshadow got a bad wrap sometime in the 80's early 90's when Blue Eyeshadow became synonymous with trailer park living! The new colors for your eyes are rich in pigment and really make eyes pop. Try Plum for an alternative to a black smoky eye. and green for a daytime Glam look.



3) Acrylic nails!!!!! Enough said. They are not attractive and ruin your own nails so you become addicted to them, instead try a silk wrap , gel or minx nails.