photo diary: upcoming tutorials and diy's!

just a little update on what i've been up to recently -- i'm so excited for each of these things :) and the holidays are coming up, meaning christmas lights are going up everywhere. lights always make me feel warm inside..i love them.

[1] a shot from an eye makeup tutorial contest i entered at thebeautydepartment.com. if i don't win, i'll post the tutorial up here. if i do win, i'll link you all to it, of course :)

[2] a preview of a diy tutorial for my pearl statement necklace! this will be up as a guest blog post on another blogger's page -- it's a surprise for now, and i'll link you all to that one too, of course! grab your jewelry making tools and get ready to make some great gifts for your girlfriends!

[3] one of the christmas cards i designed, available on my etsy shop! 

opposites attract

plaid flannel: target, jacquard skirt: charlotte russe, tights: gap, necklace: diy

bracelets from left to right: diy, h&m, forever21, madewell

opposites attract // most people don't think plaid flannel shirts and pretty, sparkly skirts go together. but they make for one of the most interesting combinations that i love. this skirt was almost an accidental find. i never shop at charlotte russe but i saw it in the window and went in to go try it on. they didn't have my size, but the next size up actually fit somehow! and it has pockets..gotta love a skirt with pockets.

this is also a really easy way to print mix, since the pattern on the skirt is a light gold that is very subtle against the cream colored background. i would definitely keep that in mind if you have wanted to try print mixing but can't seem to get the hang of it! :)

style sheet: necklace necessities

i was out shopping with one of my friends yesterday, and was helping her choose what kind of necklace to buy. i told her a few tips that i like to remember when buying necklaces, and she suggested that i make it a blog post...so here it is! hope it helps some of you out :)

eye look #9: trying out false lashes

trying out false lashes // surprisingly, i've never put false lashes on me or anyone else until a few days ago. i was practicing on myself since i was going to do them on my friend for her wedding. so this was my first try..and it might not be the best..haha. i bought the cheap ones from forever 21 to practice with, but they seem relatively durable.

products used

victoria's secret eyeshadow in gaze (light green color)

nyx single eyeshadow in midnight (dark gray/black), also used on lower lashline

ulta eyeshadow (bronze color)

mac fluidline in blacktrack (upper lashline)

sephora collection waterproof eyeliner in keep black (pencil for lower lashline)

forever 21 lashes

how often do you guys wear fake lashes?

one sunny day

gray blazer: h&m, navy blue top: loft, cobalt skinnies: forever 21, flats: payless

scarf: forever 21, ring: nordstrom, both necklaces: forever 21

one sunny day // i'm finally back! i feel like i haven't blogged for so long, and now thanksgiving is coming up soon, so hopefully i'll have some great posts to share :)

this was a wonderful and sunny fall day, with the perfect amount of chill in the air. my sister was back home for the weekend, visiting from college, so she was my personal photographer for the day. i absolutely love these cobalt blue skinnies that i found at forever 21 -- quite comfortable and definitely a wearable color. now to find a pair of plum ones.. :)

style sheet: stylish travels

i've been on the road all day long (almost the end of the crazy weekend i talked about in my last post!) and i must say, comfortable and stylish clothes are definitely an essential. here are a few of my favorite pieces that will get you from point A to point B in style, whether you're flying, driving, or whatever your favorite way to travel is. :)

most comfortable v-neck tee from madewell

warm and cozy cardigan from urban outfitters

skinny pants from zara (get a stretchy pair!)

eye look #8: mixed metals

hello! :D

mixed metals // this weekend is going to be a packed schedule, so this might be my last post for the next few days. but before i go and run around frantically, i'll leave you all with a few photos. let this be your makeup inspiration for the weekend! try it out :) if you do, post a link to your photo!

products used

silver lid color: make up for ever aqua cream #2 (steel)

gold inner corner and lower lash line color: maybelline expertwear eye shadow in golden halo

dark gray outer corner color: nyx single eyeshadow in midnight

bronze blending color (near browbone) and lower lash line color: a bronze ulta eyeshadow from a set

black pencil (used on upper lash line, upper waterline/tightline, & lower lash line): nyx slide on pencil in jet black

happy friday! have a great weekend :)

borrowed from the boys

borrowed from the boys // so you know how the borrowed-from-the-boys menswear trend is pretty popular (and very stylish, i might add) right now? well..i literally borrowed it from the boys. that lovely light blue oxford shirt? from the gap kids boys section. :) i apparently shop in the kids' section a lot, because the cardigan is from the target girls' section. a little styling secret, if those sizes fit you. and i apparently wear that necklace a lot...what can i say, it goes with everything.

is it just me, or does anyone else feel like it's already friday?

bright pink v-neck: old navy

blue button down: gap kids -- boys

white cardigan: target kids -- girls

black skinnies: forever 21

statement necklace: diy

bracelet: madewell

style sheet: "i have nothing to wear!"

this is for those of you that always stare at your closet that is filled with clothes and still say, "i have nothing to wear!!" some of my friends tell me they have this problem, and i figured that maybe other people do too...so here's a few ways to keep this from happening so often! 

pinwheels & butterflies

photos and design work by me.

pinwheels & butterflies // today's post isn't fashion or beauty related, but i wanted to share with you all anyway. i designed this fun and completely custom wedding invitation for a lovely bride a while back, and it was featured today on WeddingLovely! if you'd like to see the full post and more pictures, click here for the blog post!

sparkle and shine

sparkle and shine // today's outfit is very simple, but these two necklaces layered up do so much for this simple look. it definitely gives it that extra sparkle and shine :) i love layering my necklaces for visual interest and also variety in style. pearls give the feeling of classic and timeless beauty, while the multi-layered chain necklace toughens it up a bit, and adds variation in the overall look. 

what are your favorite necklaces to layer together (or even wear alone)? :)

black chiffon tunic: forever 21
gray skinnies: target
pearl necklace: j. crew
chain necklace: forever 21

galaxy nails

galaxy nails // i finally got a chance to try out the new galaxy nails trend today! i started out with two coats of NYC new york color in chinatown (a really dark bluish purple with slight shimmer), then ELF's matte topcoat. then i applied some LA girl flare polish in tropical onto a makeup sponge and sponged it into my nails, in random patterns. then i did the same thing with a love & beauty (forever21) brown nail polish, sponging it on randomly. then i finished with a coat of the love & beauty purple/blue glitter polish i talked about here. after finishing, i realized i probably could have put less glitter on each nail, and more randomly as well, but i will try it again next time :)

if any of you guys try this, link to a photo, i'd love to see!

links a la mode, courtesy of IFB!

links a la mode // happy friday! yay! my post on cocktail rings was chosen to be featured this week by IFB, the independent fashion bloggers community. don't forget to check out all the other lovely posts that were featured!


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Shorter Days of Winter

Edited by: Collette Osuna of Statements in Fashion


With shorter days of winter on their way, many of us will spend countless hours wrapped in a warm comfy robe, our hands nestled around a cup of hot cocoa, and stalking our favorite blogs and fashion sites. What could be better than online window shopping and thoughts of Santa’s arrival in our heads?


This weeks links showcase some awesome blog posts I’d love to read on a cold winter night.


Take some time to read about Eco friendly designers, tips for pursuing a career in fashion, jewelry tricks, DIY’s, fab bloggers over forty, and more.
Have a great weekend & stay warm!

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: NOVEMBER 10th

• Being Zhenya: DIY: Elbow Patches
• Bows & Sparrows: Allison Bethurem, social media marketing & PR manager gives us a glimpse inside her closet.
• Elodie Bubble: Sunglasses trends on spring 2012 runway
• Ethical Fashion Blog: 10 eco fashion designers to watch
• Fashion Dynamite: How to create a bracelet stack
• Fashion is Evolution: The latest edition of "Color Theory" examines pink
• Good Morning Angel: GUCCI ♥ fur & jewels
• Grace Niu: My picks for fabulous cocktail rings, on any budget :)
• Ode to Awe: Designer Collaborations: A look at why Forever 21 fails where competitors succeed
• Over 50 Feeling 40: A different way to look at fashion blogging & why we should work together!!
• Scandalous Beauty: Network Your Butt Off: Creating the Perfect Business Cards for your Blog
• Searching for Style: 5 Things To Consider Before Pursuing a Career in Fashion
• Six Inch Walker: Getting down with leo love & this season's hottest baroques!
• Soy Chiild: The college girl's guide to looking fabulous without sacrificing comfort!
• Statements in Fashion: Channeling Woodstock: Beatles Style!
• Style Abuse: Trend: White for Spring is Groundbreaking
• Style by Mahlia: 7 tips on effective flea market shopping
• The Citizen Rosebud: The plus 40 fashion crowd is NOT invisible. We are growing in number, we are building community
• The Frugalista Diaries: Video Hair Tutorial - Sock "BUMP IT"
• The Style Confessions: The surprising nail polish brand that lasts a whole week without chipping.

SPONSOR:
Newly Arrived at Shopbop: Herve Leger, Nanette Lepore, Dion Lee, Twenty8Twelve, LeSportsac, Soft Joie, Gorjana, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Sonia Rykiel, Robert Rodriguez, Tory Burch, Ugg, & Halston Heritage.

photo diary: for fun

for fun // ahh! i haven't had time to update much, but here's a fun little photo i wanted to share. my friend and i went to the mall today, and we happened to find a whole display of glasses. you know, the kind you wear when you don't actually need the prescription, but just to look awesome. so of course...we tried them on. i picked those purple ones because they match my purple cowl scarf, in case you couldn't tell. :)

eye look #7: very berry

very berry // these are the colors i was wearing in yesterday's topknot love post, so i thought i'd just go ahead and post these photos up as well. i loved these beautiful berry tones, and it doesn't hurt that purples look great on brown-eyed girls :)

main lid color : glamour doll eyes eyeshadow in victorian
outer corner and lower lashline color : bare minerals eyeshadow in beautiful lisa
blending color : glamour doll eyes eyeshadow in after prom
liners : sephora collection waterproof smoky cream liner in bewitch me, and also in must have
mascaras : maybelline volum' express the colossal mascara, maybelline lash stiletto waterproof mascara


what's your favorite brand of purple eyeshadow? :)

topknot love

topknot love // with hair as long as mine, i was surprised i could make it into a nice, neat topknot the first time i did it. amazing, right? i stuck in a couple of the large bobby pins, and it was all set to go. :) a good go-to hairstyle, especially for those days when your hair is getting weird and you need to wash it..we all have those days. :)

boyfriend cardigan: loft (most comfy sweater ever)

silk top: j. crew

jeans: american eagle

belt: h&m

jewelry: forever 21

style sheet: put a ring on it!

all ring images from polyvore

i love a good statement cocktail ring, and that's definitely what the weather calls for once it gets colder and your arm & wrist real estate decreases because you need those long sleeves to stay warm!

here are my cocktail ring picks, whether you're on a budget of under $10, or you have a couple hundred to spend!

under $10 + sparkling knuckle ring, $6.80, forever 21. lacquered pyramid ring, $3.36, forever 21. pearlescent cluster ring, $3.80, forever 21.

under $50 + rhinestone bauble ring in fawn, $48, vince camuto. triple finger multicoloured stones ring, $13, asos. 14kt rose gold medium stack ring, $27, house of harlow 1960.

splurge + dolce vita cocktail ring, $174, dolce vita. silver filigree skull ring, $395, alexander mcqueen. stella crystal ring, $173, marc by marc jacobs.

which one is your favorite? :)

pumpkin everything.

autumn pumpkin mac & cheese from juls' kitchen

african pumpkin soup with curry & ginger from grown to cook

pumpkin cookies with brown butter icing from susie freaking homemaker

creamy spiced pumpkin dip from natural noshing

(all photos from their respective sites)

pumpkin everything. // obviously, i love pumpkin. or could it also be that i bought too much canned pumpkin puree by accident and don't know what to do with it all? oops.

i already made my own homemade pumpkin spice syrup with it, and then made a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with it...and i still have so much left! sigh. but of course, foodgawker came to the rescue, like always, and i found a bunch of lovely recipes that i can use my pumpkin puree for! 

if you don't know about foodgawker already...you're missing out. :) gogogo. foodgawker's tagline is "feed your eyes". oh i think i will, thank you. :)

it gets updated constantly with new and beautifully-shot food photos, that usually link to recipes. and you can "favorite" items and keep them all together when you sign up for an account. it's great..especially for when you're clueless on what to make for dinner. it's one of my favorite sites..and it always makes me hungry!

happy food-gawking! :)

eye look #6: mixed olives

mixed olives // today's makeup look! i started out with some olive green tones on my eyelid, then added some gold in my inner corners, and a touch of turquoise eyeliner just in the inner corner area also.

stila smudge pot in jade
nyx single eyeshadow in midnight
maybelline expertwear eyeshadow in golden halo
mac fluidline in blacktrack
sephora collection retractable waterproof eyeliner in turquoise (i highly recommend this!)
cover girl lashblast fusion mascara
maybelline volum' express the falsies mascara

did anyone get sephora's fall/winter catalog by the way? i got mine in the mail yesterday and i kept wanting all the pretty eyeshadow palettes that were in there... sigh.

amazingly versatile

amazingly versatile // the dress, that is. i absolutely love this dress. i wear it on its own in the summer, with tights in the fall/spring and belted with a cardigan, or with a sweater over it, as seen here, or in the winter, with a plain black long sleeve v-neck shirt beneath the dress, and a sweater on top. who sees the long sleeve anyway underneath all that? :) and the best part is, the dress was on sale for like..$13. and this sweater is the comfiest sweater ever. thank you, gap.

sorry the first picture is so grainy. low lighting..and i didn't realize til later on! oops.

outfit details

dress: heritage1981

sweater: gap

tights: gap

belt: h&m

necklace: diy

bracelets: madewell (gold), h&m (white)