Throwback Thursday: Kylie Jenner revived 90's lipstick, and I don't hate her for it.

image via Byrdie

Last Wednesday it was cold and rainy. Despite the fact that the calendar was telling me it was spring, it felt like winter, inspiring me to apply my ColourPop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Kae; a dark, rich, velvety brown. Admittedly a rather aggressive color, I received compliments from four of my coworkers. (Embrace the bold, people!)

It has been just over 5 months since Kylie Jenner launched her break-the-internet lip kits, and the brown lipstick trend seems only to have gained momentum. In fact, it has become so ubiquitous, that I eventually succumbed to its siren song and purchased the 90's throwback hue.

And you know what? I kind of love it. So much so that I have added allll of the below shades to my ever-growing lipstick collection. And, lucky for you, each one is budget friendly (duh):

Revlon Chocoliscious
Revlon Mink
ColourPop Kae
ColourPop Limbo
ColourPop Beeper
NYX Beauty Mark
NYX Sandstorm

While the temperatures may be (slowly) rising, and it no longer feels like the season for brown lips, you'll still probably find me rocking the look because, whatever - it's da bomb.

Purple is the New Everything

Because apparently I can't stop buying and posting about lipstick these days, I am here to tell you that purple is IT.

Forget the red, orange, and neon pink, I cannot get enough of a bold violet, lavender, or eggplant lip. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's Lorde, but this winter I went on a serious purple lipstick binge. Four new tubes later, I think that maybe--just maybe--the craving is finally satiated. You be the judge: 

My attempt at Instagram artistry

L to R: Nars Full Frontal, MAC Flat Out Fabulous, Lancome Rouge in Love Violette Coquette, MAC Heroine

While Nars "Full Frontal" is Limited Edition, you can purchase the other 3 colors here:
- MAC "Flat Out Fabulous"
- Lancome Rouge in Love "Violette Coquette"
- MAC "Heroine"

Also, I may have changed my mind since I started this post and am now seriously considering adding MAC's "Up The Amp" to my collection. What?! A lot can change in just a few paragraphs!

But don't just take my word for it, Buzzfeed also understands the relevance of this daring lip trend. I mean, purple is the color of royalty, so, you know, it totally rules.

Well I'll Be Damned.

As it has already been established that I have an addiction to lip products, it is safe to assume that if there is a lipstick I want, I will do everything in my power to ensure that I get my grubby manicured little hands on it.

Case in point: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in "Damned."

The color has been around for years, but due to much internet publicity in the past few months (I mean, the deep matte magenta screams "Fall!"), it became nearly - if not completely - impossible to procure. After going into every Sephora I could (yes, even the one at 99th Street and Columbus Avenue), stalking every department store website, and checking in on Nars.com; Sephora.com finally notified me that it was back in stock, so obviously, I ordered it on the spot.

And here she is, in all her glory.

And dammit, she's perfect.

A Plethora of Pleather (& Sweaters)

Cream of the Crop
L-R: H&M, Gap, H&M Men's, Cos (old) 

At the moment, my wardrobe subsists wholly on three things:

1. Pleather
2. Ivory knit sweaters
3. Denim (betcha didn't think I'd be wearing jeans again, eh?)

The source of this new inspiration clearly comes from my excessive consumption of fashion blogs; because apparently everyone looks chic in an over-sized fisherman's knit or a pair of distressed denim (Combine the two? Stellar!). Toughen up by the look by swapping out the denim for some pleather (or real leather if your budget can swing it). Leggings or a flippy skirt works just fine. Smashing, even.

Image credits: what-do-i-wear?, french voguettes, they all hate us, snob, honestly wtf

In true sensible fashion (play on words intended), my current rotation includes nothing over $100. Click below to shop some of my favorites!

L to R: C-Lective Skirt, Splendid leggings, Gap Sweater, H&M Skirt, Hue Leggings (not pictured)

Fall ain't just for sweaters my friends, it's pleather weather.

Off The Chain

I am way overdue for a new post and I apologize for my lack of updates. You would think with all my new sale purchases I would be overrun with ideas and excited to share them with you. Unfortunately my affinity for the couch and DVR has overtaken me this summer, and I have completely neglected my blogger responsibilities. So in order to remedy the situation, I bring you--better late than never--my penchant for pouches:

That is right - I am a sucker for the little things in life. You know, actual tiny objects. And holographic anything, of course. So when I was given the opportunity to combine these two loves in purchasing this fabulous little pouch, I jumped at the chance. 

Marc by Marc Jacobs Key Pouch 

I had been toying with the idea of a key pouch for awhile, but never felt compelled to bite the bullet. Add in some rainbow brite-ness however, and I am a full fledged fan. If you aren't a fellow holo fanatic like myself, but are looking for some pouch possibilities, check out the pics and click below!

J. CREW (on sale!)

Lauren Ralph Lauren Newbury Key Coin Case (also on sale)

Urban Outfitters has some super inexpensive, key ring-less options from Ecote and BDG, and for even more ideas, hop over to Refinery29. Now go forth and prove that good things do come in small packages!

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

And in Other News...

Just yesterday, Refinery29 posted this little piece about a shiny new accessories trend.

I hate love to say it, but I told you so.

Totally digging Westward Leanings's new Color Revolution in neon green
Image Credit: Refinery29

Don't Pout

There is nothing like a bright, bold lip to turn a frown upside down.

Brilliantly saturated color was splashed all over the mouths of the fashion set during New York Fashion Week and I could not be more excited. Whether it be, red, pink, or a dark vampy hue - the sultry pout is a beauty trend worthy of giving a try. Trust me on this one.

 



Images courtesy of The Cut, Refinery29, Garance Doré

Recreate many of the looks above with some of my current matte favorites:
- MAC Ruby Woo
- Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Schiap
- Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu

Never-Ending Neon

While there are plenty of people that are looking forward to the day when the neon trend fades away, I am pretty sure it isn't going anywhere for awhile. I still see plenty of chic women sporting some pretty intense color, notably in outwear and accessories.

                        

 

 Sigh, that Acne coat...

 Punchy beanies to top off your look...                       

And certainly don't forget your feet...

Images courtesy of Refinery29, Atlantic Pacific, South Molton Style, Brooklyn Blonde, and The Cut

With or without staying power, I know I will be wearing neon forever. I'm a child of the 80's and 90's, it's in my DNA.

On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

Valentines Day may be Thursday, but as previously stated, I wear pink often and with abandon. Although this picture technically reflects Tuesday's makeup and accessories, I just couldn't resist a nod to one of my all time favorite movies, Mean Girls.

Beanie: Neff. Sunglasses: Spektre. Lipsticks: L'Oréal (Pink Plush) & Revlon (Sweet Tart). Compact: 2 GRRRLS circa 1999

Candy Girl

With Valentine's Day around the corner, the interwebs (and therefore my Google Reader feed) has been inundated with an overwhelming number of purchasable pink products and lots of candy (among other things that are irrelevant to my life and/or this post). But let's be real here, I am always down for wearing pink and eating candy, "holiday" or not.

So how fortuitous was my acquisition of this MAC lipstick last Friday using my $100 Saks Gift Card thanks to the launch of the new SaksFirst program? While I am infatuated with the color, I don't particularly care for its name, and was slightly embarrassed to have to ask the sales associate for a tube of "Candy Yum Yum."

Silly moniker aside, this lipstick is awesome. What is even more awesome, however, is the way Helena of Brooklyn Blonde rocks it in the hot pink combo below.

Image Credit Brooklyn Blonde

 That hat she is wearing just might be on a UPS truck heading my way...