Get the Gradient Look

Nail art has been all the rage this year, but if you're like me, you can get pretty intimidated by the crazy collection of nail inspiration sprinkled across pinterest boards. Not to worry--even if you aren't a nail-painting-Picasso, there is one on trend look even the most rookie of nail painters can accomplish--

Graident Nails.

Essentials:

• White nail polish
• Color polish of your choice
• Top coat
• Paper plate

Steps:

1. Paint thumb on each hand with the color polish you have selected.
2. Pour a small amount of color polish onto the paper plate.
3. Add one drop of white.
4. Mix with color polish brush and apply to next nail.
5. Repeat until you've painted all nails for the perfect gradient look!



No Sew DIY Bow

Just in time for V-day, add a girly touch to your outfit with this easy DIY bow. 

Step 1. Cut a piece of fabric into a rectangle (about 14x8")

Step 2. Apply fabric glue (or hot glue) along the long edge of one side of the fabric and fold.

Step 3. When the glue dries, fold the fabric inside-out so that the seam is on the inside. 

Step 4. Fold the two sides in so that they meet in the middle. Glue each side down, applying extra where necessary. 

Step 5. When the glue is dry, pinch the center in and tie securely with string or ribbon. Slide a bobby pin in to apply to hair.

All done!

What to Wear: Valentines Day

No matter what your plans are this Valentines day, it's important to look the part! Check out these fabulous outfits to inspire you on Feb 14th. 

Date Night

If your going out with your significant other this V-day take inspiration from the romantic side of the holiday. Look for girly outfits in light pink or red hues (not together-don't want to look like a walking cliche!). Another great way to vamp up the romance in your wardrobe is by looking for dresses with detailed embellishments and delicate lace.

J.Crew

H&M

pinterest

Girls Night Out

If your hitting up dinner and the bars with the girls this Feb 14th, you're going to want to spice things up with attention grabbing apparel and edgy accessories. Try on black skinnies, leather leggings, or floral-print pants. Pair with a lose top and statement worthy heals to finish off the look. 

H&M

pinterest

H&M

How To: Clean Your Shoes

It's that time of year when you look down at your feet and realize those super cute shoes are either crusted over with salt or weighed down with muddy sogg. Fortunately there's a chance for revival with the right remedy!


Canvas&Cloth Shoes

Solution: Equal parts colorless detergent and water.
Tools: Toothbrush, newspaper.
Directions: Mix detergent with water. Dip toothbrush in the solution and apply gently in to shoes in circular motion. Dab with wet cloth to remove remainder of dirt and excess cleaner. Stuff with newspaper to prevent shrinking and let dry for several hours.

Leather&Suede Shoes

Solution: Equal parts white vinegar and water.
Tool: Cotton rag (leather), nylon bristle (suede), newspaper.
Directions: Dab solution into cleaning tool and rub gently over stains until removed. Stuff with newspaper to prevent shrinking and let dry for several hours.

Exercise (durable) Shoes

Tools: Rag, washing machine, detergent, Oxyclean, newspaper.
Directions: Take a dry rag and rub the loose dirt off (skipping this step will let the dirt soak in when washed!). Place the shoes in the washing machine with detergent and Oxyclean on cold. Stuff with newspaper to prevent shrinking and let dry for two days.

You Are Pale

Yep, that's right, you're pale- but so am I. Truthfully, unless you live year round in SOCAL (jealous) we are all pale this time of year. It's around this early February mark that all of mankind begins to look like ghosts and seriously guys, it's just plain scary. Fortunately there is a temporary solution to our pastey problems- and I'm not talking about tanning beds. Oh no, I am way too high on the burnability radar to roast under some heat lamps. That's why at this time of year, I turn my attention to sunless tanner.
I know there are lots of people out there that have been too afraid to use sunless tanner or have tried the wrong brand and had permanent disdain for the whole idea ever since. That's why I have compiled my reviews of the best sunless tanners with a few tricks for achieving that flawless application.


Application Best Practices


1. Always shave and exfoliate first- this removes all dead skin to allow for an even application.
2. Start from your tips and move in. Whether you're bronzing your legs or whole body, it's best to go outside in to avoid snubbing the coloring or missing spots.
3. Move in laterally then vertically in small sections (i.e. feet first, then ankles, calves, etc.).
4. Wash your hands immediately! You don't want to have tiger paws.
5. Let the tanner dry before getting dressed to avoid rubbing off the color or staining your clothes.


My Top Rated Brands


1. Jergens Natural Glow- goes on even, skin looks perfectly sunkissed without looking orange or streaky. Moisturizes extremely well and even firms your skin!

2. L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Zny Angle Self-Tanning Sray- Very easy to use. Spray bottle functions very well and goes on even. No rubbing needed and stain free for your hands, always a plus.

3. Banana Boat Summer Color Sunless Lotion- Great even application with the perks of a moisturizer. Added bonus is that it is long lasting and gives you a great tan after a single use.

Get Studded

One of my favorite current trends is studded accents. They come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and options lending to lots of variety in your wardrobe. The best part of this trend is that it goes well with all styles. It doesn't matter if you're grungy or polished, there is a studded accent out there for you! My one caution is to be modest about the amount of studding you wear in a single outfit. You don't want to look like a weapon walking around town, so be careful about your usage and placement. I tend to like studs on accessories because they give a subtle pop of power that's less overwhelming. Check out these pictures for inspiration!

Source: Valentino

Source: Wantering.com

Source: Pinterest

Source: Wantering.com

Source: Pinterest

Things that Bring Me Pure Joy

Let's be honest, nothing truly compares to this feeling of pure joy and excitement. It's as if all of your anticipation and anxiety has suddenly dispersed in a single moment. A weight has been lifted from your shoulders and it has been filled by complete elation that makes you want to run home to the mailbox in a frantic fit. You know what I'm talking about- it's that simple message from the FedEx package tracking site telling you that your package has been, dare I say it? delivered. Just this moment the purple tracking arrow went from "in transit" to "delivered" and I must admit I cannot contain myself. The funny thing is that I've come to realize it doesn't matter what I order (although the package contains Romeo and Juliet leather leggings from lastcall.com which is a definite bonus), I always get excited to open a package. Surely this only fuels my online shopping addiction which has reached an all time high as of late. But at least I know I'm not the only one out there that feels this way! Yes, it's a little embarrassing to admit, but surely some of you feel the same way and know all too well of the excitement brought about from the "delivered" sign.




source: fedex.com



Designer at a Discount

source: shefinds.com

Love the designer looks but hate the prices? Since I'm going to assume your answer is "yes" to that question, you're in luck. Fortunately, about every other fashion lover is in agreement with you, and when a whole lot of people want something, it tends to create a business opportunity to soothe demands. The recent shopping obsession has been in form of flash sales. If you don't know what a flash sale is, I'll give you a little background. A flash sale is a website that has "deals of the day" or sales of certain products or designers that are only open for a specified period of time. For example, the site may have a sale of Gucci handbags but its only open Tuesday at noon to Wednesday at midnight. Typically you have to sign up (usually for free) to access these sites but once you're apart of the group, the sales really are as good as they promise. To get you started on your shopping frenzy, here are a couple of flash sale sites that I've had great success with:

Gilt.com

Hautelook.com

Ideeli.com

Ruelala.com

Fab.com

Now maybe you think all these sites are great but are a pain to keep track of. The good news is you're in luck again! One of my favorite finds is a site called retailfetish.com which compiles the sales of all of these sites in one place. You can also cancel the repetitive emails you get from these flash sale sites in turn for a once a day summary email from retailfish.com. Give these sales a try and see what you can find!

Because it's Freezing

In light of the recent weather here in West Michigan I have been inspired to seek out fashionable winter accessories. Too often we tend to pair cold weather with sweats and crusty parkas. In order to look put together while you're shivering through the sub zero wind chill you must find the delicate balance between function and fashion. Check out some of these great finds! 

Burberry from Nordstrom

Rag and Bone from ShopBop

Chanel from shop-her.com

DVF from Nordstrom

DVF from Nordstrom

Polo Ralph Lauren from Nordstrom

Products that work: Dry and Damaged Hair

Over the past few months I've begun to notice a trend with my hair. At first it was a few more than usual loose strands falling out after a shower or while I was styling. But then the shedding got worse and soon my hair began to feel completely stripped of all moisture. You could notice the damage just by looking at my head and I was literally leaving a trail of hair behind me everywhere I went. Embarrassing and disgusting to say the least.
To solve this issue I knew I needed to go to the big leagues with my hair care. Previously I had been using the "Garnier Fructis Fall Fight", which claims to moisturize your hair and fight against fleeting follicles, but it just wasn't cutting it. Yesterday I ventured over to our local Ulta and picked up a few products that I've seen great results from after just one use. I highly recommend these products to any of you struggling from the winter hair woes!


Bed Head Resurrection Shampoo ($13.99) and Conditioner ($14.99)

 

Redken Anti-Snap Leave-In ($4.00)

When Two Wrongs Become Right

Source: marc jacobs

We've all heard the rules on mixing colors. While black and navy make for fantastic and strong colors separate, together they are simply a mess. But not anymore! Yesterday's fashion tragedy is today's go to combo. The same goes for the other dreaded duo of black and brown. It's the slight clash that makes these mixes enchanting and statement worthy. My only advice? Make sure you wear these sets with purpose! If you don't go big, it will look like a mistake. So wear your "wrongly" paired clothing with pride! I insist.

The Checkered Craze

We have the fabulous fashion label Louis Vuitton to blame for this recent craze that has taken over the red carpet. The checkered dresses have been seen on everyone from Jessica Alba to Kirsten Dunst. What I love most about this checkered look is that it is bold while still being very elegant. The designs are made in a variety of contrasting colors so you can choose accordingly depending on how big of a statement you want to make. I can't wait to see how this look inspires the rest of the fashion world! What do you think of the craze? 

Source: redcarpet-fashionawards.com

Source: dailymail.co

Source: handbag.com

Looks to try in 2013

This year make a promise to yourself to try new trends. Take a risk with your wardrobe and do something unexpected. Part of looking great is having fresh taste that's current and classy with just a touch of edge. Make sure you prep your 2013 style by filling your closet with these looks:

Bold in Black and White

Source Valentino.com

Source Chanel.com

Source: Valentino.com

Source: Chanel.com

Feminine Leather

Source: Balmain.com

Source: Balmain.com

Source: Jasonwunstudio.com

Source: Jasonwustudio.com 

Rib-driff

Source: Jasonwustudio.com

Source: Jasonwustudio.com

Gladiator Boots                                                                                                                         

     

Source: Versace.com

Source: Phreaked.wordpress.com

January: Dine In

If there's one thing I love- it's to eat out. Nothing makes me quite as happy as throwing on a new outfit and hitting up a delicious restaurant. It's a time to be social, an excuse to be glamorous, and a chance to indulge our taste buds in finely prepared cuisine. While I don't think there is anything wrong with a few dinners out, I must confess that the frequency of my restaurant endeavors is wavering on the line of addiction. That is why this month- for the entire 31 days I will be making my own meals and eating food from the grocery store. What do I hope to gain from this? For one, I'm hoping to be healthier and save money-something that all of us can appreciate. But I also want to be a better cook. Today making frozen pizzas and boiling pasta is as good as it gets. Those aren't very nutritious options and a lifestyle made solely off of cheesy-carbo-deliciousness certainly doesn't lead to looking and feeling your best. Here it goes!

New Year, New Type of Resolution

By now-seeing that we've been a whole 3 days into the New Year-it's probable that most of us have already broken that resolution we were sure we'd stick to in 2013. That's why I'm changing my resolution style up a little. Instead of setting one goal I need to accomplish for the whole year, I'm picking a theme and creating monthly resolutions- a much more doable and exciting idea if I say so myself. This year my theme is to be challenged. Every month I'm going to challenge myself in a new way to see how I can grow as a person. Ultimately, the goal is to look and feel the best I can. Join me in these challenges and you too can reap the benefits! As always, be sure to share your successes and struggles!