Current loves

Neons

Who doesn't love bright colors during summertime? I was so tired of black and gray everywhere, even though I love black and gray- it is just so refreshing to see pops of color again! I am especially loving the neon jewelry and handbags. I am in love with the hotpink handbag in the picture below. Don't be afraid to try neons this summer, this is a fun trend.  If you aren't sure about purchasing a pair of neon pumps or a bright dress why not a cute neon clutch or handbag? Or, for a fun DIY project, you could purchase a neon spray paint from Michael's or a Home Depot type store and spray paint some of your own jewelry.

Spikes



I haven't been under a rock or anything, I am aware that the Spike trend has been going strong for a while now. However, over the past 6 months or so I can't seem to get enough of them! I think what I'm drawn to with spikes is they are edgy/punk rockish but they can be mixed beautifully with more feminime pieces, such as crystals.  Not only are they fun with jewelry, but spike studs add a fun element to purses/handbags as well as shoes (think Converse). 



                                 




Here is a great DIY tutorial from the blog B Headed from back in December on how to stud your own Converse http://bheaded.com/2011/12/14/how-to-stud-your-converse-at-home/. Great blog that I recommend checking out!

  To try to get my love for spikes out of my system, I decided to make my own necklace incorporating them. I love the way the spikes look next to the crystal beads.  This necklace looks great with so many different things- from dresses to a tank and jeans.

 

      Take a look around my Etsy store, more things to come soon!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/105311683/sophisticated-edge-featuring-a-25-mm

The Ring manicure

           

This is a fun little trend. I haven't tried it though.

Like every season, there are several new takes on trends to be discussed- but these are just the trends that I am really into right now! 



What are your favorite trends right now? 

2 Broke Girls: Caroline's Necklace

Who makes the original two broke girls necklace? I don't know...but I make my own versions! 

 

 

Caroline's Necklace: Two Broke Girls

The only new show this year that I have grown to love is 2 Broke Girls.  2 Broke Girls is a quirky comedy about two best friends who are struggling to get by while they pursue their dream of starting a cupcake business. One of the main characters, Caroline, wears the most adorable double strand pearl necklace in almost every scene. I fell in love with this necklace as quickly as I fell in love with the show, so I had to make a necklace for myself. I get so many compliments on this whenever I wear it, I have started to get requests from friends as well as strangers for a Caroline Necklace of their own.

                             Caroline's Necklace- my version

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112774110/2-broke-girls-necklace

      

This necklace wasn't just fun to make, but it is such a great inspiration piece. There are so many different things you could do to make different versions of this necklace (different chain, different color/size pearls) and either way it would still be adorable.

 I promise to have a tutorial on this necklace posted in the near future!  Are there any pieces of jewelry you've been lusting after?



If you don't want to make this necklace and would rather buy one ready to go, then visit my etsy shop for one :   https://www.etsy.com/listing/112774110/2-broke-girls-necklace





Most recent version I made:




Caroline Collier: Deux filles Broke
Collana di Caroline: Due ragazze Broke
Кэролайн ожерелья: два Broke девушки
 

Pink Friday

I was on the hunt to find a new bright pink lipstick. While doing so, I not only found a great lipstick, but a lipliner I fell in love with. The lipstick is "Girl About Town" and the lipliner is "Process Magenta", both by Mac. The lipliner is brighter than the lipstick, but they complement eachother nicely.

 Not the greatest application, but you get the idea of the color hopefully ;)





side note***Mac had a limited edition shade called "Pink Friday" that was advertised with Nicki Minaj. It is no longer available but I didn't want the title of this post to confuse anyone






Mac Lipstick  $14.50
Mac Lipliner  $ 14.50

Every girl should have some studs in her life

     Every time I watch the first Sex and the City movie, I fall in love all over again with the studded  belt Carrie wears. She wears this belt in several different scenes in the movie. It was probably the 5th time I watched this movie that I realized just how many scenes this belt appears in. I think part of this is due to the way she mixes up the usage of the belt. What a great example of how to wear one piece in several different ways.

                        

      The first scene we see the belt in is the scene where Carrie and Big go apartment hunting, which is where the picture above comes from. I love how the belt is paired with such a beautiful, elegant dress. It is always fun to use an edgy piece paired with something girly.  






Sidetrack moment: I didn't even notice the adorable Eiffel Tower purse of her's the first few times I watched the movie. Love it!

                                                  Eiffel Tower purse




           Back to the belt...


                                   Next, the belt appears in the scene where Carrie calls Samantha to announce her engagement. In this scene, Carrie is wearing an adorable hot pink dress. Hot pink and black look great together, so again I loved this look.

                                                               




                                                 
                  The next scene the belt appears in is a much sadder time for Carrie. She is still in the process of taking in her broken relationship with Big. The belt appears in the scene where Carrie and Miranda are doing some Halloween shopping in a drugstore.Carrie is also wearing this outfit when she spots the Vogue magazine which featured a story on her upcoming wedding to Big. She buys the magazine in shame and scampers off in her fabulous outfit.

                                     


              The last picture of Carrie with the belt is from promos for the movie, I do not believe this outfit appears in the film itself.


                                              

                                                
                                         

3 trends taking over fall 2011

 There are a few main trends you have probably already started to notice for fall this year. While there are several other great trends that are not on this list (so stay tuned for those) this is the list of the trends I've been seeing the most.


The first one on my list is Polka dots, I love how they are having a major comeback. Not just on clothes though: jewelry, purses and furniture are other merchandise you can spot this classic pattern on.

The images below are from Fashioin week 2011- Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg polka dot pieces

Below is a collage I made of some of my favorite polka dot items for this season...

The next trend on my list is the maxi skirt. This is probably my favorite trend right now and my idea of the perfect maxi is #2 in the collage below. I love the sheer black, it is elegant yet fun.

It is a huge trend right now to wear a chunky sweater with the maxi skirt. I personally find this look a bit sloppy and would prefer to pair it with a well fitted top/blazer.

The last trend on my list is

Faux/leather/pleather shorts with tights or leggings

Great example of how to pair shorts with tights

I love the idea of being able to wear any piece of clothing all year long. Pairing shorts with a pair of tights or leggings and then adding a cute bootie is a great way to be able to wear your shorts in the winter months.

What are some trends that you have been seeing constantly?  

Trend I'm loving: Loafer pumps!

 I love the makeover the loafer has been given by being transformed into a pump. I especially love loafer pumps witn the ankle strap such as the Lauren Conrad ones below. This is a great shoe for transitioning into winter.   I love the loafer pumps in red and also in nude. Nude heels will still be huge this upcoming winter again, which is great for a few reasons. Nude can be worn with almost anything, looks chic, but most importantly makes the legs look longer. Below are loafer pumps by Miu Miu, which cost around $550.00   Yikes! That's a bit extreme for me...

                               Miu Miu loafer pumps- $550.00

             Coming in at $110.00 we have the "Anabel" shoe by BeBe

                                  

   But LUCKILY I found a great Look for less! Lauren Conrad shoes, available at Kohl's, has made a version of the loafer pump that are just as cute  as the Miu Miu and BeBe ones, in my opinion.

                                                    

                               Lauren Conrad "Kailyn" Loafer pumps , $49.00

Miu Miu pumps- $550.00                                               Lauren Conrad pumps- $49.00

  So this is another great example- before you splurge on a name brand, keep an eye out for the more affordable version!

 Also, last week I purchased another pair of Lauren Conrad shoes. These ones are black suede wedges with an ankle strap. Open toe. These are summer and winter friendly, if modified correctly. Easy to walk in and a great price. Versatile.

             As you can probably tell by the pictures, these shoes are suede so you have to be extra careful with how you treat them. 

            So, there's my latest purchases. Both shoes I got at great prices and both shoes can be worn quite often. Win win!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

       

       

              

 

      

   

Paint splatter fun

Paint splatter. Splatter paint. Can't decide which way I like saying it better. Anywho....

A fun trend from the 80's (what trend from the 80's isnt fun though?) is back - which is the paint splatter effect. What maks the paint splatter trend so much fun is anyone can do it; whether it be a decorative pillow or a t- shirt, the splatter effect gives a fun, artsy touch to whatever you are working with. It is definitely a playful/random  trend that I'm loving.


My paint splatter obsession started last month when I found this dress online- which I must have.

 ...I also came across these, which I thought were fun 

                       I LOVE This bright splatter dress, my favorite colors

                                             













                 Then I got to thinking "what else can be splattered?"  Um, anything you want!




                                                     shoeaffair.com

                                 

                                                      

                                     love the orange and blue on the bracelet

                                      How cute is this bag?

                                            

                       Get creative with decorating...

This is also a big trend right now- which is paint splatter over a print, in this case splatter over zebra print          

This weekend I am going to "splatter" a few things - maybe I'll post how they turn out. Give it a try if you're bored and feeling creative! I recommend going outside to an area that will be easy to clean up for you. I set some newspapers on the ground, and then splatter my little heart out. Easy clean up.

If you are wanting something basic to splatter, pick up some plain tank tops or tees from target or wal mart.