M.A.C. Style Black Haul Pics:

Yesterday, I ran out to pick up some of the M.A.C. style black collection. I had previewed the collection, but I was eager to try the Volcanic Ash mask & exfoliator for myself! M.A.C. Baby Doll Goth nail polish, M.A.C. Seriously Hip nail polish, M.A.C. Blue Flame Mineralize Eyeshadow, the M.A.C. Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, & the M.A.C. Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask. The Volcanic Ash mask & exfoliator are amazing, and are must buys in my opinion. My skin feels amazing today, just make sure you do a patch test before you apply it to your face. I have sensitive skin and was absolutely fine with the products, but everyone is different. The mineralize eye shadow is a fun eyeshadow to play with, but is best foiled. The nail polish is probably the best way to experience the collection in my opinion, but as far as formulas are concerned the Volcanic Ash exfoliator is hands down my favorite purchase of the night!

Blue Flame Swatch:



Me rambling & showing off my new purchases before I ran out the door this morning:


I will post a tutorial using the Blue Flame Mineralize e/s soon! Here is a closer look at the smokey look :)


More beauty stuff to come... xoxo.

My uniform as of late has consisted of pretty floral dresses, cowboy boots, & messenger bags. This lovely Steven Alan dress has been elusive as it is flying off racks, and Erica Anenberg makes the coolest rings! Oh, and while I own a pair of completely adorable boots, searching for a pair of distressed vintage boots has become a bit of an obsession. If you are a size 7, be sure to check out these stellar vintage boots...


{l to r} Steven Alan Soma Dress in Purple $330 @ Revolve Clothing; A.P.C. Tights $80 @ La Garconne; Erica Anenberg Je T’aime Twosome Ring $63 @ Max & Chloe; Tila March Bonnie Shoulder Bag $840 @ La Garconne; Vintage "The Last Rodeo Boots" (size 7) $160 @ Chickdowntown;

Built by Wendy Sample Sale
46 North 6th St (btw Wythe & Kent) Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Fri Sept 25th & Sat Sept 26th 10am-8pm
Sun Sept 27th 12pm-6pm
50%-80% off spring 2009 looks

Rebecca Minkoff's gorgeous crocodile embossed leather bags are to die for AND are available for pre-order. Get yours below:


{l-r} Croc Morning After Mini $550; Croc Nikki $595;
Croc Mini Mini $330; Croc Mini Nikki w/ Resin Handle $575; all available (limited quantities)@ Rebecca Minkoff (shipping after Oct. 1)

If you are looking for a light, pretty, neutral eye makeup for everyday or to wear with some fabulous lipstick, this is the tutorial for you!!


P.S. There are a few reasons why I started doing makeup tutorials: #1 my friends, family, & completely random people are always asking me about my makeup & tips on how to do theirs, and #2 there are a ton of really talented girls & gurus doing makeup on you tube, but very few of them have a fair complexion like moi, so if any of you out there are half as pale as me, this might help you out. :) If you are of a different complexion, please keep watching--simply modify the colors for your own skin tone/eye color ! :) I hope to have some more tutorials for you gals soon! :)

I have created a beauty tutorial using one of my favorite looks. After raving about M.A.C. pigments, I thought it was about time I posted one of these. I hope you like the look. :)




Products Used:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance
M.A.C. Painterly Paint Pot
M.A.C. Moss Scape Paint Pot
M.A.C. All That Glitters e/s
M.A.C. Vintage Gold Pigment
M.A.C. Twinks e/s
M.A.C. Shroom e/s
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar
Diorshow Iconic Mascara

M.A.C. Lipstick in Cute-ster (Hello Kitty Collection)
Sephora Lipgloss in Precious Pink

Face (off camera):
Smashbox Photofinish primer in Color Adjust (green)
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude
Laura Mercier Mineral Powder in Tender Rose
Nars Concealer in Vanilla
Nars Blush in Orgasm
M.A.C. mineralize skinfinish in Blonde (Blonde/Brunette/Redhead collection)

Marc Jacobs presented a collection with a variety of influences, asian culture (the models had white powdered faces & wooden sandals), and the ballet being two of the standouts. There were gowns, harem pants, lattice suits, and ruffles everywhere. My favorite looks included the military jackets paired with the ruffled mini skirts, and the blush mini dress with a high ruffled collar.

{images via Coutorture}

Runway Video & Interview:

Marc Jacobs is insistent on having fun with his Marc by Marc line and we sort of love him for it. It also explains that ridiculous scrunchie/hair bow that we saw in Madonna's hair at the Met Gala. Thank god we got that explained, before this I was just chalking it up to a mid-life crisis. I'll skip the hair accessories and the 80s prom dresses but the prints & colors in this collection were adorable.

{images via Coutorture}

Catherine Malandrino's Spring 2010 "Nomads" presentation was divided up into four sections and were inspired by the Nuba of Sudan, the Berbers of North Africa, the Cashibo of Peru, and the Samoans of Polynesia.

The collection had a bit of everything from bright sarong gathered dresses, zebra prints, intricate beading, harem pants, jersey jumpsuits, and boleros. Wherever you are going to go on vacation, chances are this collection will have something you can pack. I think I would want to go island hoping in Polynesia wearing one of those fantastic floral headdresses!

{images via Coutorture}

Lela Rose continues to impress me with her amazing ready to wear collection. Her adorable anoraks are proof that she can do sportswear just as well as she can occasion dresses. My favorite looks were of course the cocktail dresses with origami folds & wave inspired ruffles. The prints were also fantastic and had a painterly feel to them.


(images via Coutorture}

For Spring 2010 DKNY presented its "City in Bloom" collection pairing bold floral prints with neutral hues. My favorite looks were surprisingly the suits. jackets paired with cuffed shorts or pegged pants. The fact that the models had bike shorts peeking out from under their dresses brought a smile to my face, because while models aren't modest city gals on windy spring days might be. It is clear Donna Karen is really thinking about the girls who actually wear her clothes. The collection had rompers, lovely swimsuits, fantastic separates, and adorable dresses that could easily take you from day to night.

Details at DKNY:


I loved the subversive details on the bags, and these shoes I would pick up in a flash!

Beauty at DKNY:


Pastel mascara! Yes, please!

{images via Coutorture}

BCBG debuted a collection full of sexy mini dresses, and looks with asymmetrical hemlines, cut-outs, & one-shoulder dresses. I loved the contrast of the watercolor prints with black, and found the pops of lime, blue, & orange to be refreshing.

{images via Coutorture}

Kime Buzzelli is an artist I really admire. I have been impressed and inspired by her recent work with Vans, Urban Decay, and her designer friend Rachel Antonoff, and I have no doubt you will be too:

Kime Buzzelli for Vans:


Kime Buzzelli Sorry is for Suckers V-Neck Tee $26; Kime Buzzelli Peace Girl Scoop Neck Tee $26; @ Vans.

Kime Buzzelli for Urban Decay:

Show Pony Shadow Box $30 @ Urban Decay

Kime Buzzelli for Rachel Antonoff Spring 2010 Collection:

Kime Buzzelli created artwork for Rachel Antonoff's amazing spring 2010 fashion presentation. Some of the watercolor sketches she created for the show are pictured above. {images via The Moldy Doily}

View more of Kime's work here.

Good news for girlie gamers out there, Nintendo just released new color options for the Nintendo DSi. The handheld system is now avialable in PINK. Had this been available when I purchased mine back in April I would have totally gotten the pink one, but the blue is pretty sweet :)



If you don't have one yet, be prepared to become wildly addicted...

Pink Nintendo DSi, White Nintendo DSi both $169.99 @ BestBuy

The Preen Spring 2010 collection set the bar high early on a dreary day with sexy dresses in black, gray, white, & metallics, and pastels. Ropes were seen throughout the collection, tying the looks together both literally and figuratively. The ruffles gave the dresses a sculptural quality, while the asymmetry, paneling, and creative draping added interest to the mini dresses giving them show stopping appeal.

{images via Coutorture}

The Hills & The City star, Whitney Port made her New York Fashion week debut with her line Whitney Eve. She certainly puts her former co-star Lauren Conrad to shame with her designing abilities. The designs were young & flirty, the hems were kept short. Metallics, cream, and sherbet pastels were favored.



Whitney stepped out looking fabulous in pastels as well. In fact, I would happily steal the clothes right off her back!



{images via Coutorture}

Rachel Antonoff's darling Spring collection was inspired by ballerinas, tumblers, aerialists, and music performers. The models wore rompers, dresses in lace & floral prints, and high waisted shorts & skirts. Rachel Antonoff did an excellent job presenting her completely wearable collection in a creative & memorable way. We expect to see plenty of girls prancing on the streets wearing pretty dresses & ribbon tied ballet flats this spring with thoughts of sugar plums & fairies in their head.







Backstage Beauty:

Coveting this blue shadow look (My best guess is that is M.A.C.'s Mutiny pigment, a personal favorite of mine)

{images via Guest of a Guest}

Jason Wu's playful & colorful party frocks made my heart skip a beat. The 26 year old designer seems to be playing his cards right, and I expect to see young starlets clamoring to get their hands on these dresses!

The Vena Cava Spring 2010 collection was shown at Milk Studios where the models marched down the runway before taking their place on or around a series of ladders. The Fiery Furnaces provided the tunes, while Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. provided jewels for the models. The clothes were beautiful and wearable with subtle nods to the 80s and their hipster fans, with acid wash prints, jumpsuits, bustiers, safety pins, and shoulder pads that oddly enough blended beautifully with flowing prints, laser cut details, and wearable jersey numbers. Vena Cava is bound to gain a few more fans this spring.


Vena Cava Presentation post runway show:



Beauty at Vena Cava:


The models wore their hair pulled back in slightly messy chignons, wore a custom deep violet lip color created using MAC Pro lipmix in White, Burgundy, Red, and Blue, and a blue nail color.

{images via Coutorture.com}

Chanel's new limited edition nail colours are now available in a lovely light green hue, appropriately called, "Jade" as well as a companion barely pink hue entitled "Jade Rose". These hues were first seen on the Paris Fall 2009 Runway:


{Jade Rose polish pictured on Models walking the Chanel Fall 2009 Runway in Paris}

Get them before their gone!


Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Jade $25; Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Jade Rose $25; both polishes are limited edition and are available at Chanel.

Monique Lhuillier is known for her show stopping gowns, but in this rather low-key presentation she opted for jersey gowns with rope belts, stunning column dresses, fringe dresses, and cocktail frocks in bright yellow, black, metallics & animal prints. If a gal is playing it safe on the red carpet, this is the collection to turn to.

Admittedly, I always think of L.A.M.B. as an accessories line because I always gravitate towards Gwen's shoes & handbags, but the same cool rocker vibe can be found in the RTW collection. It wouldn't be a stretch to see Gwen, her dancers, or rocker chicks in the Village wear any one of these looks on the streets!

The Anna Sui for Target Pop-Up shop on Crosby street is quite amazing. In a former house, with exposed brick walls, steep narrow staircases (wear flats, I learned my lesson the hard way!), and amazing decor this is definitely a shopping experience. Definitely check it out, today or tomorrow if you are in NYC.



More pics from the inside:


I really thought this was the best Target designer collaboration yet. The garments were all well made, I only had one fabric complaint on the Blair metallic printed shift (hello, itchy), and I was sure the silver sequins on the grey Serena dress will fall off after one wearing (it is cute, but I skipped it). I was also struck by how familiar this all seemed. Sure, the looks were all Anna Sui's signature style, but I wasn't expecting near replicas of her past season's work!

It appears Anna Sui was less inspired by Gossip Girl than her own Fall 2006 collection. This isn't exactly a bad thing, more of an excellent marketing approach. I quite like her Fall 2006 collection and don't mind purchasing these lovelies at Target prices. I just think it is funny because Serena or Blair would most certainly consider Fall 2006 as "vintage" if at all wearable.

Anna Sui for Target looks vs. Anna Sui Fall 2006 Collection:




I bought two dresses inspired by Lil J, this black lace number & an adorable printed black wrap dress.

Final Verdict: Try it on before you buy, but definitely buy.

I love a good braid, especially if it is slightly messy or loose. I have been searching for hair inspiration only to find so many different braids to try my fingers will most definitely be numb once I'm done.


{images via: Jean Louis David; Flickr-Craigga; Flickr-Breath of Life; Flickr-Ina Birgitte; Flickr-Anna Kharina; Nyra Lang; Fashion Toast; Flickr-Jeana Sohn}


{images via: Fashion Art & Mess; Colleen Yancy; Paper Tissue; Sabino; Flickr-Annuk Nik; Toast; Food of Smile ; Variation of the word sleep; Matilda-Film Stills; Fuck Yeah Cute People; Deviant Art- Afihara; Urban Weeds; Allure; Flickr-Mirjan; Flickr- Laura Encursiva; Flickr- Marie Emily}

The Spring 2010 lookbook for Doo-Ri Chung's lower-priced secondary collection, Under.Ligne is absolutely stunning. The clothing is of course beautifully draped, the photos spectacular, and the doodles and watercolor swashes found on the pages simply warm my heart. Each page is an inspiration, enjoy:

Rachel Comey has plenty of loyal fans who seek her designs because of her delightful prints, chunky platforms, and consistently fantastic separates. She debuted her Spring 2010 RTW collection on a Chelsea rooftop, showing the mixed prints and covetable shoes we love her for alongside functional pieces inspired by the Northeast. With skorts, removable pockets, backbacks, fanny packs, and even raincoats the Rachel Comey girl will be ready for anything this spring.

{images via Coutorture}

Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia, the husband & wife duo behind the line Sachin and Babi, presented their Spring 2010 collection earlier this week much to our delight. The collection had a range of looks from vacation ready separates to textured & embellished dresses perfect for us city gals. The collection had just the right amount of sparkle & prints with none of the ensembles looking forced or overdone. Many of the looks were topped off with Panama hats provided by Benn Jae for Cutler & Ecua-Andino. My favorite pieces included the interwoven black dress, inspired by scaffolding ropes, the white tunic with cut-outs tucked into light blue trousers, and a sequined dress with cut out details over a light blue jersey material.

With great pleasure, I would like to introduce the beginning of a new PBL venture that would please my favorite Gossip Girl, Blair Waldorf. A collection of feather hair accessories with a lot more on the way. With a new GG girl inspired collection about to hit stores and New York Fashion Week being a day away, I don't think there is a better time to unveil it!

Here is a peek at what is in store:


{1}Aragon Feather Headband $16.50; Aragon Feather Headband $16.50; Ravinia Mallard Feather Headband$16.50; available now in my shop.

{2} Addison Goose Feather Headband$16.50; Addison Goose Feather Headband$16.50; Oak Street Teal Feather Headband$16.50; available now in my shop.

{3}Oak Street Teal Feather Headband$16.50; Aragon Feather Headband $16.50; Addison Goose Feather Headband$16.50; available now in my shop.

My first pair of ShoeDazzle shoes arrived and so far I am pleased. The heels are high, but are suprisingly comfortable and easy to maneuver in, which is so incredibly important when you live in the Big Apple and are constantly dodging tourists and subway grates. While I am pleased with this selection, I have found the other offerings they have provided to me to be slightly disappointing. I am going to give it a month or two before I make a final verdict, but my initial reaction is that this is a service that takes a bit of patience. The pay-off is certainly there when you find something you really like, but ShoeDazzle might not be ideal for shop-a-holics like me.


Shoe Dazzle's Shivani heels @ ShoeDazzle

Playing with makeup is a personal passion of mine so these images from M.A.C.'s Fashion week prep & prime were nothing short of eye candy. M.A.C. is signed to paint the models faces at 86 runway shows this fashion week. It is during fashion week where M.A.C. unveils its new collections, so obviously a lot of time, effort, and attention is paid to each individual color and formula presented on the runways. New York Magazine's The Cut caught up with Gordon Espinet, vice-president of makeup artistry, and Nadine Luke, director of makeup artistry to capture these amazing images:





Read the full story here.

{Source: The Cut}

Anna Sui's Gossip Girl–inspired collection for Target isn't hitting Target until September 13th, but those of us in NYC will have the opportunity to shop the collection early right here in Manhattan! The pop-up shop will be located at 54 Crosby St., nr. Spring St. and will be open from September 10th to September 12th.

The pop-up hours are as follows: Thursday 9/10 11am-11pm, Friday 9/11 & Saturday 9/12 11am-8pm. Check out the Anna Sui for Target looks & Gossip Girl inspiration below:


Gossip Girl Inspiration:

{images via the CW}


Blair Waldorf inspired:


Serena van der Woodsen inspired:



Lil J inspired:


Vanessa inspired:


If you can't make it to the NYC Pop-Up Shop, you can get the looks at your local Target or at Target.com starting on September 13th!