My Style Diary: 8/22/12

 

What I'm Wearing:
1. Wrap Dress: All Saints
2. Strappy Heels: Michael Kors

I wanted to show you guys an outfit I wore a few weeks back for a party, but I'm sure you could already tell these were a little old by the shots with solid blonde. Better late than never [not a question, that's a fact- ALL SAINTS IS ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE]. What's even better? All Saints on Sale. I had my eye on this dress for months, so imagine my surprise when I found it hidden in the corner && extremely discounted [it went a little something like 'omg, omg, get in my closet'].

My outfit posts are getting exponentially sillier with every attempt- OMG JUST LOVE CLOTHES AND BLOGGING SO MUCH, CAN'T STOP SMILING.

^I wish that was sarcastic. Be back with a new look soon!

PS- speaking of 'looks'... that's your hint for my new website :) The idea I've been working on all year will be FINALLY done in a week or so and I can't wait for you to see it!

Summer Favorites 2012

Items Shown [Linked Where Available]
1. Vaseline Aloe Fresh Total Moisture
2. St. Tropez Self Tanning Mousse
3. L'Oreal Magic Skin BB Cream
4. Guerlain Terracotta Spray
5. Maybelline Color Show "Green With Envy"
6. Chanel "Peridot"
7. Joico Color Endure Shampoo/Conditioner
8. White Ceramic Necklace
9. JCrew Bubble Necklace
10. Brandy Melville Backless T's
11. Bralettes: Brandy Melville, Urban Outfitters

Click here for the top I'm wearing in this video [It's Free People]

Favorites videos are some of my favorites to watch [I like them so much I can't think of a better word]. I like to research products before I purchase them, so video and blog reviews are a huge help- that's how I found two of my current faves featured in this post! My pre-summer planning found that 93 percent of users recommended the Vaseline lotion, while the other 7 percent were the crazy women shouting 'screw the lotion! Just bring 50 shades of Grey to the beach!' [so, yeah, I went with the lotion]. My other favorite recommendation? Chanel Peridot. Yeah, yeah. A year late. ..very fashionably late. 

What were your stand out summer favs? Any upcoming obsessions? Check out my last post featuring my favorite new shoes if you're looking for something to spark[le] your fall interest :) 

Favorite Fall Shoes

Sparkling in September by carlycristman featuring leather sandals

Items Shown [Linked Where Available]

1. RED Valentino Mary Jane Pumps

2. Nanette Lepore Love-Struck Sandal

3. Pink Sprinkles Heel

4. Miu Miu Glitter Heel Bootie

I think it's quite obvious why these shoes are my top picks for fall. While I love metallics and sparkles year round, I especially love them paired up with colder weather clothing [My winter wardrobe usually consists of 'all black errthang', so these heels add the perfect pop of personality] [alliteration is sexy]. 

Confession time: The first two pairs may or may not be on their way to my apartment. I also may or may not have a problem. I'm currently straddling a fine Miu Miu line between "buy, buy, buy" and "but what about your bills?", but, hey- who needs electricity when your shoes can just light up the room?

Do you have any favorites for fall? Let me know what you're currently obsessing over!

My Style Diary 8/14/12

What I'm Wearing [linked where available]:

1. Embellished Lace Tank: Haute Hippie 

2. Lace Shorts- Dailylook

3. Metallic Flats- Tory Burch

4. Lace Bralette- Urban Outfitters

I'm all giggles in the pictures above. I'M JUST SO HAPPY!!! But really. I love sparkles so much that I can't even make normal faces. It's fine.

You know what's not fine? Me saying I'd link you guys to my clutch/lace shorts and then not being able to find them. Blogger fail. I've seen lace shorts still for sale at local stores, so hopefully you'll be able to find them if you're looking for a last summer purchase. Also, the top I'm wearing is on sale on Nordstrom right now- it's still full price on Haute Hippie's site [just in case you needed that little extra push to buy that sheer, embellished muscle shirt you so desperately need] 

Still figuring out my set up in the new place- everything else is a mess, but at least I can take outfit photos!! ALL IS WELL!! Be back soon with more sparkles :)

Essie "Penny Talk" Nail Polish Review

Ahmahgahh finally, a new nail post. If you're thinking the recent lack of claw polish clutching photos is because I've curbed my obsession, YOU'RE WRONG!  You already know from my ever-constant updates that I've been renovating my new apartment- during which I completely stripped my nails of lacquer for a period of 2+ weeks [I'd rather have naked nails than a chipped manicure]. Since moving, I've done what any adult would do upon relocation and familiarized myself with all of the immediate necessities, such as: where is the closest Starbucks? Is the McDonald's by me SERIOUSLY not open 24 hours? And where the hell can I get the new Essie collection? 

After I completed scrubbing the wall paint from my hands, can you guess what was the first thing I did? I'll give you a hint: It starts with 'd' and ends with '-id my nails' [Also acceptable answers: "tried a new polish", "gave myself a manicure" and "ate an entire pizza alone"] [it didn't happen if it's in parentheses][f***, these are brackets] So, here it is- my first polish post from my new apartment! 

Essie "Penny Talk" Nail Polish

I'm always searching for great metallic nail polishes and this one looks to be a perfect fit. 

Essie's "Penny Talk" Nail Polish is an opaque, highly reflective polish that takes at max 2 coats to achieve this foiled appearance. While I love the results, I don't love the wear: this polish began chipping within two days. My nails were completely shot by Day 4. This would be fine if you're someone who doesn't mind constant application ..or if you go on strike from using your hands. Otherwise, it might not be worth the price. I'll still use it for specific rose gold accented looks, but definitely not for a regular manicure. Would you buy it? 

Speaking of claw polish photos- one of mine was printed and displayed in the lobby of the W hotel in Chicago! [Also known as 'the sexiest validation from anyone making fun of polish photos and beauty blogging'] [Sample convo: "What have you been up to?" "Oh, IDK, moving to my new apt, having my photos displayed in major hotels, being generally fabulous, how about you? How's life in your mom's basement?] [synonymous with '..you can go shave your back now'] Post soon to come with more pictures! 

While sarcastic, I DO hope that this inspires you if you've ever wanted to create a blog or pursue your dreams. There will always be criticism, but I have to tell you- those voices seemed preeeetty small when I was staring at my work on a glittering wall :) 

What's In My Beauty Cabinet?!

MOVING UPDATE: My closet is organized and my every day beauty products are perfectly set up, but I have barely any food and some of my furniture is still not yet assembled. I figured- 'what better time to post a 'what's in my medicine cabinet' video while the rest of my apartment continues to lie in shambles?', so, here we are. Watch the video below to peak inside my bathroom beauty cabinet and spy some of my all time favorite items.



Products Mentioned:
1. Vaseline Total Moisture 
2. L'ancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover
3. Olay Total Effects Face Lotion
4. DDF Wrinkle Resist Pore Plus Minimizer
4. DDF Amplifying Elixir
5. St. Ives Apricot Scrub
6. Dove Clinical Strength Deodorant
7. Sigma Cleansing & Polishing Tool
8. DDF Sensitive Skin Cleansing Gel
9. Nail Polish Remover Pads

These 'What's in My-' type posts or videos are my absolute favorite guilty viewing pleasure. I love seeing the products people use in their most real setting and seeing how they organize them. I used to be a very disorganized person [I know, you probably won't believe that, but having a clean-obsessed mother, sister and roommate will rub off on you] so these types of posts always help me find new tips and tricks on how to work with the space I've got. I read on a survey that a large percentage of women keep over four body lotions at a time in their medicine cabinets [yes, I read a survey about what other women keep in their bathroom. Thanks, twitter]. One of my biggest tips with living in smaller spaces is learning to become a minimalist! I find the best double duty beauty products I love and use them up before buying anything new. I highly recommend the products I've shown if you're looking to clean up your space or just try something new. Oh alright, forget just recommending them- how bout giving some away instead?! Comment below how many lotions YOU keep in your medicine cabinet for a chance to win a bottle of Vaseline's Total Moisture lotion- I'm giving away 5 of them to my readers :)