Oooh Zooey.

To My Fashion Icon,

These are just a few reasons why I love you

yeah, I may be a little obsessed..



Summer Essentials (Hair Edition)

As summer is just around the corner, (or so we hope in Oregon..) it is important to evolve your overall look into something for the season. Like most other summer trends, hair this year is all about the undone look.

Color is leaning toward subtle highlights, soft hues and ombre techniques.

Ombre (which is when a color fades from a dark root to a light end) made its first big appearance this last fall but will remain in style throughout the summer.

To style your hair these next few months, keep "unkempt" in mind. This season it is all about the side braid, the loose bun, and the tousled mane look.

For an evening look, pull the messy bun and side braid together to give a cool bohemian vibe to a typical updo.

To give your hair that 'just back from the beach' like texture, try a salt spray such as the one by Label M or the "Salty Dog' by EVO. Both of these products plump up your hair just enough to give it that dirty, tousled look and feel like the day after you've washed it.

 Although this season is all about care free, low maintenance looks, it's vital to keep your hair in good condition. Invest in a nourishing but light product such as Moroccan Oil to keep your hair healthy and give it shine without weighing it down.

In order to achieve a well tousled look:

 1. Run Moroccan Oil through your hair when it is wet and blow dry

2. Take large sections of hair and wrap around the outside of a 1"-2" curling iron (do not use the clamp)

3. Curl hair from ends to about the ear, leaving the top of your head smooth

4. When all your ends are curled, break up the curls by either running your hand or a brush all the way through multiple times

5. Spray with sea salt

6. Scrunch

7. Shake

8. And go!

(yes I know I used Vanessa twice, but let's be honest, no one rocks this hair better than she does)

So be brave, try something new, and let loose!

Be sure to watch for the next chapter

Summer Essentials (Makeup Edition)

Where To Start

 

Audrey Hepburn once said “It seems to me that it is within the reach of every woman to develop a similar individuality of style by learning to know herself.” As is usually the case when it comes to style, Audrey, of course, was right. There are three main rules every fashionista must follow; know your body, know yourself, and learn how to flatter both.

 

Creating your own look goes far beyond the newest pair of shoes or the next great handbag. Style is about perfecting your silhouette from your A line bob to the tip of your stiletto, and every curve in between. Along with body type, everyone also has their own face shape. If recreating your style seems a bit overwhelming, your hair is a great place to start with the help of your stylist. Having no shape to your hair can defeat the purpose of even the perfect outfit, while often a great haircut can give you the confidence you need to carry an overall look.

 

 

Once your hair is getting you a fair amount of double-takes, move on to the rest of your figure. One of the best ways to learn how to flatter your shape is to first identify it, and then to find a celebrity with a build similar to your own. For instance, if you are 5’2” and a slender build, Beyonce is probably not the match for you, but Natalie Portman might be. Sometimes it’s easier to see what works and what doesn’t on someone other than yourself.

 

 

Next is to make this look your very own. The best way to express your personal style is in colors, fun prints, and unique jewelry. Often big trends are moderate if not completely unflattering to almost all body types, so avoid getting carried away in each season and focus more on statement pieces like a bold scarf or an fabulous vintage necklace.

 

 

The more familiar you become with the first two steps, the easier the third one will get for you. As every well dressed woman knows and Victoria Beckham once stated, “Looking good isn’t about money, it’s about style. And style never goes out of fashion.” So take that style, and make it yours, because one of the first steps to feeling good is knowing you look good. So go on, know yourself, love yourself, and shine.

 

 

 

The Difference Between "Cheap" and "Inexpensive"

As a girl who has spent many years shopping the sales rack, I understand the importance of a dollar..and getting it to stretch as far as possible, and then tugging at it a little more. The only problem with trying to cut corners in spending is that often it shows in what you purchase. When things are cheaply made, they usually are fairly obvious and last a fraction of the time, making the "deal" really not worth it.

cheap jeans (roughly $20)

 the medium fade, thin stretch material and skinny distress marks are sure signs of a "not worth it" deal.

Inexpensive Jeans: H&M, Gap, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch, Jolt Jeans

Splurge Jeans: Joe's Jeans, 7 for all Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, dVb

One of the best ways to get "splurge" jeans at the "inexpensive" price? Think resale! Many higher end second hand boutiques carry designer jeans in great condition for an unbelievable price. No stores near you? Ebay is another place for great finds. If you take good care of your clothing the second hand option is great for keeping your closet from overgrowing while still getting what you need. Sometimes it helps to always take something in to sell if you plan on bringing anything home.

*Be sure to note any frayed edges or fades on any second hand clothing

Another key to not looking "cheap" is knowing when to give things up. Holding onto a camisole for eight years that has been stretched to death and splits at the seams is not worth the frumpy signal it delivers. When your tank top drawer starts to look more like a rag bin, it's time to clear it out and start over. Nothing says hot mess like a ripped out two dollar wife beater, and no one should be sending that message except for maybe Ke$ha...

(please no one do this at home..)

As for cosmetics, makeup isn't something you should skimp on either. Brands such as Covergirl, Maybelline, N.Y.C. and Wet N' Wild should mostly be avoided when dealing with foundations and powders. These lines tend to cake and not blend well, drawing attention to your makeup instead of you. Brands like Physician's Formula, Bare Minerals, Youngblood, Mac (as well as many others) are much more complexion friendly and worth the extra dollar but won't totally break the bank. Things best purchased from drugstores? Mascara! I love drugstore mascara, it usually is thicker than the high end brands for those of us girls who love the vintage chunky lash look. Also the occasional eye shadow and liner can be a great find, such as NYX or Hard Candy, which have great pigment and fairly decent lasting factor.

As overused as the saying is, quality is always better than quantity. Always check the sales rack but be sure to sort through what really is a quality piece and what you're just grabbing because it seems too cheap to pass up. If you'd love it at full price, then it is something worth coming home with you!

Key Points To Remember:

1. Avoid cheap denim

2. Love your local resale store

3. Throw out worn down clothing

4. Invest in your makeup

5. Quality over quantity! 

*when clearing out your closet, always donate!

Understanding Footwear

As ridiculous as it may seem, the importance of proper footwear is often overlooked in both every day fashion and special occasion situations. First, I'll start with the definite do nots of shoes.

Rubber flip flops are appropriate for the beach, pedicures, and checking the mailbox. Honestly, no one really wants to see your feet, especially in a 2 for $5 Old Navy special. (sorry to one of my closest friends, Peggy, who I can still not break of the flip flop. One of these days...) Cheap flips flops 1. make any outfit look undone and sometimes frumpy and 2. make you look juvenile. If you like the idea of a sandal, try something a little more sophisticated, like these:

Remember, if you are wearing shoes that reveal your toes, make sure they are always polished and well kept!

Another common mistake is wearing shoes too over the top for everyday wear. Six inch heels are not appropriate for just another day at the office. I'm all for a great pair of pumps, but they should be simple and tasteful, not club wear.

Instead, try something more along these lines

Next, one of the most simple but important rules in the book is "If you can't walk in them, you can't wear them." Even the most gorgeous pair of heels go unnoticed when someone looks like a dinosaur trying to inch across the floor without breaking an ankle. You can always work your way up to taller heels, but practice around your house first, and do not wear them out until you are 100% comfortable in them!

Even Gaga 'slips up' every once in a while..

Thirdly, there are a few pairs of shoes every woman needs:

nude pumps, either suede or patent leather

classic black flats, either rounded or pointed toe

a great pair of leather boots

And a then one fun pair, like bright red pumps that can pop your little black dress and make you stand out at any party.

And finally, there is one brand of shoes that I always love. For every pair of TOMS you buy, they supply another pair for a child in need. Not only are these shoes comfortable, affordable, and totally cute, they provide for a good cause as well!

The most common styles are the originals

and the cordones

but other great styles include their wedges

and wrap boots

you can look at these and other Toms Shoes at their website.

As always, make sure what you are wearing are both comfortable and flattering. Happy shoe shopping!