I went shopping this weekend - I totally deserved it because I spent the morning getting my car repaired and getting measured for a bridesmaid's dress - going to the dentist would have been more fun. I had been wanting to go to Gap (shocker because I haven't set foot in that store in the last five years and their previous look could best be described as girl scout chic)... anyway they've had some really cute ads recently and I figured what the heck - it can't hurt to look.
Kudos Gap - you've shaped up and gotten a little more fashionable. Yes, they still probably border on casual - khakis and button-ups (yuck and yuck - you can praise khakis and button-ups all you want but I can't stand them). But they've also taken a few tips from more grown-up stylish big sister Banana Republic. This trip has made me put them back on the shopping radar. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The prices are about in line with Limited or Loft but the sales were pretty good the day I went.
This is what I got:
Red shorts - super cute. I saw Lucky do an article on red shorts and how easy they are to wear and I fell in lust. Practical - I'm not sure sure but Lucky had four different styling options so I totally think I can work them into my summer look. Another Gap positive? The shorts ran big or the exercising is paying off because I fit into a smaller size than I had been before... Superficial to shop where I can easily fit into small sizes? Maybe. But it does make me think the gym thing is working and I'm kinda loving it.
For some reason I've been loving stripes this year. Something so European and casual about it. I thought it looked cute with the red shorts. They had it paired with a blazer and jean shorts in the store which looked super cute... perhaps for going out? I also got a white T - can never have too many, the price was good, it wasn't see-through and another red short option.
BTW how cute is her skirt. I may need to go back for some work clothes.
And last but not least this one on sale. It's hard to tell but there is beading on the neckline so it's casual and fancy - my favorite. I think I can dress it up or down. I almost got it in two colors but resisted.
I may need to make a repeat trip because I saw a few more things on the website (like the skirt above) that I liked. Case in point:
So I hate drug store make-up. Strong statement, I know. Why?
First off aside from the lower-end department stores, drug stores have horrible lighting. We're talking full on bright lights that know how to highlight every perceived flaw. Bad lighting and make-up just don't make a good match. I always end up buying things that seem like a good idea in the store but as soon as they hit daylight it's pretty obvious that the pale shade of pink is really full on florescent fuchsia. Not pretty.
Second, do you know how hard it is to choose make-up hidden behind plastic? Incredibly hard. As much as I hate the thought of everyone's grubby hands and lips rubbing all up on the department store testers, at least you can rub it on the back of your hand and hope for the best. In drug stores, you're stuck holding a plastic and cardboard container up to a tiny mirror in the hair department. Hmm I think this looks ok... And again in the privacy of your bathroom it usually looks like complete junk.
And third, I haven't been overly impressed with drug store make-up. It usually feels cheaper to me. Like a knock-off version of their more expensive sister. Snobby maybe? From experience, I've found the shades don't always look the way you would think (lighter or darker), the consistency isn't always as great, and the staying power isn't always there. I've had eye shadow fade out by 11 am and I work a desk job.
Still, my one hold out was Maybelline. I love their mascara. Swear by it. (I really like it but mascara is also the one thing I refuse to pay over $10 for). So the other day when I was depressed I couldn't afford to buy out the Clinique counter, I wandered over to the Maybelline aisle at the grocery store and I ended up buying an eye shadow and liner. I justified that the costs - probably $10 for both - was cheap enough that if I hated it - I could toss it.
The thing is, I was delightfully surprised. I've gotten their mousse blush before and liked it so I don't know why I was so terribly shocked. Maybe because I've tried other brand's eye shadows and been horribly disapointed? At any rate ... I found myself looking in the mirror today and thinking - wow that is actually really pretty. And, it's after 7:30 pm and it still looks just as good as it did at 7 am. So I had to go on here and brag about them a little bit. I mean hello, if you can save $10 over the department store, why not give it a try? I got Sunkissed Olive (see photo above) and I think it'll be perfect all summer. I mixed it with Maybelline Cinnamon Spice (a hint from the Clinique counter to tone down green with a copper color). I'm in love. It might replace Clinique's Beach Plum as my go-to this summer... or at least be my alternate.
I took the lighter color that came in the duo and ran it across my lids, up to my brows. I always put a lighter color in the inner corners of my eyes to wake-up a bit so this works perfectly (and not too much shimmer that you look like you're clubbing at 8 am). Then I took the green and ran along my upper lash line and in my crease. I took the Cinnamon Spice and filled in most of my lid (minus the green areas and stopping a little past my pupil). Then I blended and lined my eyes with a green/gold eye-liner. Actually also Maybelline but I can't find it on their site.
I am all about spring right now. I can practically smell all the flowers. I can't wait for bright nail polish - is anyone else just sick of all the grown-up goth dark colors? Pinks and yellows and whites are just happier. So in a nod to spring - here are a few of my favorite things.
Oh Loft, I love you... This is gorgeous. Hot pink and ruffles. Swoon.
And how cute are these? Slightly Boca/Ladies that lunch with a cool twist. Get them here.
And I'm still loving rompers. This is a grown-up version of the little kid fav. Get it here.
I think this is the cutest dress I've seen all spring. It's been in loads of magazines if that pushes you over the edge. Get it here.
A new book. I loved Sweet Valley High growing up and I'm not afraid to admit that I'm dying to read this book. I'm only debating if I should buy it or try to find it at the library... I'm thinking buy it.
I'd also add to the list hot pink nail polish, nude lip gloss, bronzer and a new pair of sandals. And a vacay if we're dreaming.
So I'm waiting to get in the shower and actually get this day going but OMG People just made my entire day.
First there was this story, annoucing Tim Gunn is writing a third book. He's calling it a fashion bible. One word. Amazing. I love him. My dream fashion lunch would be with him. Think about it - inside scoop on Project Runway and fashion advice. Too bad the book isn't getting released to 2012.
And then there was this....
Britney's new video! The song isn't my favorite Britney song ever but it's catchy so I find myself singing it. I won't buy it yet because I'm waiting for the album. The music video - I don't know - I don't have my contacts in - it looks ok.... What do you guys think?
I am so excited that Spring looks are hitting stores. Good bye snow, hello bright colors and fun flirty outfits. The last few seasons, I haven't been that impressed with The Limited - gasp... not impressed by my one time fav store? I know right... but I think some of their new looks hit it out of the park - and I can't wait to update my closet with these lovelies...
First up... I love party dresses. Who doesn't need a couple of fun dresses littering their closet. You never know when you might be invited to a drop everything and go fancy party. And this dress is my number one want.
It totally reminds me of a more attainable version of this dress.
Which despite what a lot of critics say - I love. And I'm a sucker for a LBD (little black dress). I think this dress could be totally dressed down - through a sweater or jacket over it and no one will know it's a one sleeve number.
Next up...
So very Audrey or Grace. Over the years, I have made a conscious effort to pick classic elegant (My motto - what would Audrey wear) over trendy. Elegant you'll grab five years from now out of your closet, trendy will be sent to the Goodwill after a year. I can't find this skirt on their website. Disappointing. But I will stake it out at the store.
I've been big into mixing it up recently. Dragging out my teal sweater over a dress. Adding a pop of color with shoes. So how cute is this? I love the dress (saw it in the window display a month ago and wanted it then) and the little sweater - super adorbs... Plus this is really easy to wear anywhere - work, bridal shower, baby shower, you name it.
Ok this one I'd need to try on. I'm short and too much on the bottom makes me look - well shorter. But I love this skirt, ruffles and all. I am all about crazy skirts with understated colors on top. The belt is super cute too. I think I'm in love.
Another very wearable look. Actually I think I have all of this in my closet. Yellow and white scarf - check. Yellow sweater - check (actually it's a short sleeve cousin to this from The Limited last summer). Black pants - hello what Audrey Hepburn fan wouldn't own a half dozen pair of classic black pants.
What I love about this is I'm 90% sure it's the dress a few pictures up with a sweater over it. Anything I can mix into multiple looks is a huge plus. Unlike some looks with a dress used as a skirt - you totally can't tell and could pull it off on your own - without the help of Photoshop.
Anyway - I need to get ready... busy day. But kudos Limited. You won me back. And PS your bridal collection has gotten a lot better - you've come along way from two bridal gowns. Some of the dresses look a tad bridesmaid but I guess that's to be expected. But I love how costs effective it is!
So first... let me say I think this song is beyond annoying (does that make me old?)... Anyway, totally fits the post... so we'll go with it.
So, I have another secret... I'm also a hair product junkie. But I'm the most low-key hair product junkie in the world. My normal routine would be something like this - buy some fabulous new product promising "incredible volume" "super model height" or "big hair", wash hair, sit around for 10 minutes with towel on my head, put product in hair, flip head over and blow dry. Brush on the way to work in car. One of my irrational fears is that any future child of mine will have Taylor Swift curls. Not that I don't love her hair but can you be low-maintenance with curls? All my wavy/curly hair friends seem to beg to differ. I wouldn't have the first clue how to do curly hair. I have visions of days filled with straightening irons, curling irons and hot rollers. Seems like an absolute nightmare. Is straight hair dominant - I'll have to Google this?
Anyway... back on topic...
Needless to say, I'm massively disappointed in all so-called volume products. My hair is still stick straight and baby fine. Thank God I have a lot of it or I'd look like one of those people on What Not To Wear - the before where their hair is a scraggly mess.
It's not like I want hair like this...
or this....
But a little volume would be good.
My bathroom cabinet is testament to products I've tried and who have failed... these fallen comrades range from high-end to drug store basics. And the one thing they have in common? They don't cut it when I don't have someone professional do my hair. And since I'm not a Real Housewife... that doesn't happen very often... or at all.
So this week at CVS when I was supposed to by buying a birthday card, I ended up buying these. Specifically the John Frieda root booster and a mousse. I've tried it for a week now and I'm pretty impressed. I'm doing my normal routine and I actually think my hair looks like a little bit (dare I say) bigger? Elated! And it last almost all day. I do feel like my hair feels a bit stiff especially at the roots but a small trade off. I might even try to curl my hair one day.... well maybe not... we don't want to put in too much effort.
Any tips for volume (other than hours with a brush, rollers and hair dryer)?
On another side not - did any of you read the January Glamour (since I have so many magazines I'm a month behind)? Well they did this article on how natural is in. I got super excited thinking - heck yeah my hair routine is finally in style (I love when 60's straight is in because I can do that with no effort). Well the entire article is for you curly/wavy hair girls. It basically said don't touch your hair and let your natural texture show... I showed it to a wavy hair friend and she said it's not possible that her waves wouldn't look like the article's model if she just washed and went. They did have a small call-out box for my fellow straight hair ladies. Their tip to get waves was laughable... simple spray some texturizing spray into your hair and scrunch while you dry. News flash Glamour - that would do absolutely nothing to my hair. I might get one bent hair if I was lucky. To get anything resembling a curl, I have to load my hair with product, sit with hot rollers for practically an hour, take them out, don't touch any tight little curl on my head, maybe touch up with a curling iron and spray with hairspray. Within in twenty minutes of all of this, the curls will have fallen out to mediocre looking waves. So massive fail to Glamour on that article. Usually I love them though so no hard feelings.
Since I haven't done any book reviews or recommendations recently. I thought it might be nice to tell you what I'm reading/read this past week. I'd love to hear what you're reading as well since I am always on the hunt for a good book.
1. My Name is Memory, Ann Brashares - This was really good. Surprising me actually because I read her last adult fiction book and thought it was barely ok. Apparently this is the first in a line of three books and I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith - Somehow I missed this in high school and book club has ignited a passion in me to read a bunch of classic books "you should read". I wasn't a huge fan at the beginning - it just sort of dragged along - but I'm over halfway through and hooked. I read Angela's Ashes a long time ago and this reminds me of that (although I guess it's the other way round since this came first). Same premise - poor family growing up in NY trying to make ends meet.
4. The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog and of his Friend Marilyn Monroe, Andrew O'Hagan - Ok I had heard a ton of good things about this but I got close to halfway through and just wasn't loving it. I couldn't get into it at all. The dog has somewhat interesting stories but spends half his time spouting off philosophy... I ended up returning it unfinished.
So that's my list so far. I'll try to keep you updated.
