Bling Rings

Balenciaga S/S 2013 Rings. Image Courtesy of My Daily Edition

Just as an FYI, H&M is selling some Balenciaga inspired stacking rings at a cool $5.95 a set. I purchased in two sizes to ensure I could cover as many digits as possible.

If you managed to pick up those released earlier in the season, you can come pretty close to the original look, which would otherwise run you up to $750.

In other news, I finally satisfied my dainty ring craving from this summer, as exhibited by yesterday's finger fiesta.

Rings from Ula on Lexington, H&M, random shop on Bedford Ave in Williamsburg

Happy Weekend everyone!

Precisely Right

Apparently this year I have added beauty blogger to my repertoire (nail polish and lipstick costs less than shoes, you know), so I guess it is only fitting that I write a quick post about my favorite black liquid liner. My beauty routine has evolved to a point where my everyday "face" usually means winged liner and a bold lip, and the Maybelline EyeStudio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner is the perfect way to achieve my look of choice.

While a winged eye can take practice, Maybelline's felt tip liner makes it so much easier...and at $8, it doesn't cost too much to experiment. Despite trying to find an even cheaper alternative, after two failed attempts, I happily went back to the Maybelline.

With a nearly fool-proof application at the right price, it is now easier to master the perfect liquid cat eye.

A Major Score

When wardrobe wants weigh me down, I try to remind myself that patience is a virtue. I believe in clothing kismet - if it is meant to be, it will be.

My desire to own a varsity jacket developed about 6 months ago when the trend first emerged. But, unsurprisingly, as it tends to be in the early stages before an item finds its way into the mainstream, I had trouble spotting a version that struck quite the right chord. (And trust me, I looked) There was a brief moment in November when I thought my search was over, ordering this jacket from Forever21, but it was returned shortly after it arrived.

Image Credit Where Did U Get That

Image Credit Bloggersmag

Image Credit Because I'm Addicted

As a shopper who never gives up without a fight...or at least a good long hard wait, I kept my eyes and ears open for the item that would soon solve my sporty situation. Then, last Thursday, in my usual Google Reader scroll, I came upon this post by Diana of Dressed Up Alligators.

Not only did her Aeropostale jacket fill the varsity void, it was also majorly on sale. A few clicks and it was ordered, speedily appearing at my office Tuesday morning. So what better way to score a Wednesday win than with a little bit of team spirit. Talk about a cure for the varsity blues.

Aeropostale jacket with grandmother's pin. Super old Miss Sixty sling backs.

Go Rebs!

In The Clutch

Here's the thing about clutches: They are so perfectly impractical. And frankly, that is what I love about them. The thought of being able to fit all your necessities into a small structured purse just seems so incredibly chic. I want so badly to be that woman, but every time I go to use a clutch, what I need never fits. Even if "what I need" is nothing more than keys, money, phone, and a lipstick. And then I think: How am I going to hold a drink and not fumble? How will I dance? (I love to dance.) But then I see images like the one below and I crush...hard. I mean, are you not drooling over that Emporio Armani in the first pic? I. Can't. Even. Though I would have totally settled for the H&M version below that, if I had managed to get my paws on it...

Image Credit: NY Mag The Cut

Image Credit: Fash n Chips via What Do I Wear

App Happy

Not soon after I joined Twitter, one of the few people that follow me tweeted that if I like makeup (um, more like love), I should follow BeautyLish. I took her suggestion to heart and did exactly that. From there I downloaded the iPhone application, giving myself access to a seemingly endless supply of images of gorgeous makeup and nails with just simple finger swipe. But for serious people, these users have mad skillz. Yeah, I wrote skills with a "z." That's how much talent the BeautyLish members possess.

Then, just last week, I received an email for $10 off in their recently launched online boutique. Being the beauty junkie that I am, I happily obliged. See, I have this problem with discounts...it is nearly impossible for me to refuse them. Especially on the following items:

- Nail polish
- Makeup
- Shoes

When my package arrived, I expected to find exactly what I ordered: a very pretty lip gloss that I of course totally needed (purchase rationalization is one of my greatest strengths).

But what I actually received was so, so much more.

Personalized notes, free samples, what more could a girl ask for?

Customer service is a big deal, and BeautyLish nailed it. And because it would be selfish to contain my excitement, I felt it necessary to send a little love their way...and perhaps some new customers? It was the least I could do to thank them for the discount, sample, and lovely notes.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go check out their nail community page to see if I can get any ideas for a St. Patrick's Day manicure...

Hair Apparent

Now for what you've all been waiting for (with bated breath I presume)...

Before: (looking much redder than in reality)

After: This picture shows minimal gradient, but in reality the color is a bit more obvious.

After: Curls, back

After: Curls, side.

Above photos, color and curls by Jamie.

Curls, closeup

Curls, closeup 2

I love love love the finished product. While I made Jamie deviate a bit from the package instructions, it came out perfectly. As my hair was pretty light to begin with, the overall result looks a bit more natural and therefore not so drastic.

Ombré looks better with curls and I have much still to master, but I can't wait to play with my new hair. Boredom averted.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Exp-hair-imenting

When it comes to my beauty routine, I get bored easily. This is clearly exhibited by more-massive-than-necessary make-up and nail polish collection. I don't have an everyday "face," (read: I spent a fair amount of time playing with eye and lip colors in the morning) and a few years ago I dyed my naturally blonde hair dark brown on a whim. And while I absolutely loved it, in less than a year I was ready to make another change, slowly finding my way back to light blonde.

Unsurprisingly, I am currently stuck in a hairstyle rut. I wear it straight every day. I have not seen my colorist in almost two years. It is safe to say that I am suffering from complete hair ennui. (Boredom sounds so much more sophisticated en Français, non?)

In an impulsive attempt to remedy the situation, I picked up a curling iron at Target on Sunday. Then, on Tuesday, I marched myself over to CVS and bought the new Feria Wild Ombré for a "DIY Dip Dye" home hair color experiment. I may be light years late on the ombré hair trend, but it seemed like the easiest solution to my hair color conundrum. So many French words! I'm sensing a theme...

The Tools

This weekend I have enlisted my friend Jamie to help me with both the bleaching process as well as to teach me her masterful ways with the curling iron. (I have tried to use it 4 times this week, all complete and utter disasters.)

I am hoping for a final result similar to this:

Oh hi Lauren Conrad, I like your hair! Image Credit LuLu ♥'s Makeup

Stay tuned...