Outfit of the Day - birthday (school) edition

So, I turned twenty today. EXCITING. Naturally, since it was my birthday I wanted to dress real cute for school. It was about 32 degrees (and falling) all day, so I didn't want it to be something that I would be freezing in, but I really had my heart set on wearing tights and a dress. *I did wear a jacket, I just wasn't photographed in it.


Shirtdress: H&M
I got this when I was a junior in high school (3 years ago) at H&M when I went to New York. It had pockets on the side, and is a really nice khaki-off white color. It has silver buttons going up the front and has pockets on both sides of the chest. So comfortable, and definite a favorite peice of mine that I seem to make work year round.


Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
This ashy brown cardigan is my roommate's, and it is so warm. It is made of wool, but it isn't a heavy or itchy wool so it is super soft. There is a really nice rouching detail going up the front as well.


Jewelry:
For Jewelry I just wore a couple of long, thin, gold necklaces. I didn't want the emphasis to be too much on them, but I liked the extra sparkle that the gold gave and that the gold lines brought the eye down the outfit to the belt.


Belt: Savers (secondhand store in Arkansas)
I wanted to cinch in the waist of this outfit (because the shirtdress isn't the most fitted of shirt dresses and the cardigan added some extra bulk as well) and I love the antiqued look of the belt buckle on this woven belt. I also positioned the belt buckle off center, and after I passed the belt through the buckle I tucked it around the back of the belt and let it hang.



Maroon Tights: Christmas (thanks mom)


Boot Socks: Merona - Target
So, SO warm. I only wish they were a little higher.


Ankle Boots: Steve Madden
I got these boots last fall/winter and I have been in love with them ever since. They are an ankle boot with a western flair and they have two leather pieces across the front. One with studs and one with another textured detail. God I love them.


Today I also tried out two new makeup products:
Covergirl LashBlash Volume Mascara and Revlon's Colorburst Lipgloss in the color: Pink Ice. I give two thumbs up for both of those products.

So there you have it.

Overall my birthday was good :) other than being overtaken by a surprising snow sneak attack, I had a really nice day. I'm going to dinner with some friends tomorrow night, which is good...considering my roommate and I made 24 red velvet (valentines day/birthday themed) cupcakes last night. I even felt compelled to add them in here because they were that adorable.

Exciting things to look forward to:
NY Mercedes Benz Fashion Week starts tomorrow! The shows begin tomorrow and will go through the 17. Do expect some feedback from me, as well as some flashing back to the fashion weeks in Europe. I definitely have some opinions.






until next time
Lo




currently reading: Slaughterhouse Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
currently listening to: Two Door Cinema - Tourist History (album)

5 products I adored in January (and a little fleet foxes on the side)

I realize that if I use the "login issue" excuse one more time it might seem like a "crying wolf" situation.  Good news: I think I have the situation figured out.


This post is alllllllll about things I was infatuated with during the month of January. From body products, to hair products, to clothing, to makeup, to music.. it's all on here.

Favorite Body Product - St. Ives Oatmeal and Shea Butter Moisturizing Body Wash

About a month ago I decided it was time to stop using my cupcake flavored body wash and find something a bit less sugary and a bit more effective. I wanted a product who's scent would last (and potentially that WOULDN'T smell like buttercream infused with sugar...not a good purchasing decision on my part.) and who would help me beat the infamous dry skin of winter. I've found it. I love the way that this body wash smells, suds, and the way it works in combination with St. Ives Vitamin E advance moisturizing body lotion. Not only is Oatmeal a nice scent, but I can definitely tell a difference in the way my skin feels.

Favorite Hair Product- Loreal Paris Hair Expertise Ever Pure Sulfate-Free Color Care System

 (Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner) 

When I got my hair done in December I got it dyed a lot darker than I had, had it before and I wanted to make sure that my color didn't fade. I saw this shampoo and decided to give it a try...totally worth it. This shampoo/conditioner has helped to keep my hair the rich brown/black that it was over a month ago. The Ever Pure line is sulfate free, which means it isn't as hard on your hair; it is made with natural botanicals, 100% vegan, and (the volume ones) are scented with Rosemary and Mint. After washing/drying my hair after using the products I could definitely tell a difference in the way it looked and felt as well. It was much more soft and healthy. I hiiiighly recommend these products. I believe they retailed at around $8 a tube. The only downside: because they are packaged in a tube there is much less product than there would be in a bottle.

Favorite Blush - Wet 'N Wild Blush in the color Mellow Wine

While watching youtube guru amarixe's video about drug store cosmetics that were worth giving a shot, I heard her mention this blush. Wet 'N Wild is usually something I don't usually give a second look to (unless I need a top coat for my nails), but I hadn't really seen their blushes before and decided that I would give it a try (and at about $1.50 how could I pass it up?) The blush is a good, neutral color (kind of a peachy color) and looks really good on fair skin tones (I would imagine it would also look good on medium and dark skin tones as well). It is really pigmented though, so if you end up picking this up be aware that you need to use it sparingly. I definitely will be checking out Wet 'N Wild's products more often now.

Favorite Lipsticks - Revlon Color Burst in Soft Nude and Raspberry 
and MAC in Rebel

If there is one thing I love...it is a good lipstick. I have become quite the collector as of recent, and am a big fan of making my lips one of my accessories to my outfit. My three favorites this month: Revlon Color Burst Lipstick in the colors Raspberry and Soft Nude, and MAC Lipstick in the color Rebel. The Color burst lipsticks are great quality lipsticks. They have a good payoff, and last a good amount of time.  Also, the color that you see in the tube is very true to the color that you get on your lips. Raspberry is (as it's name makes clear) a pinkish red, and soft nude is an orangey gold nude color. The lipsticks are a little drying, but it's nothing that is unbearable (*if you begin with a coat of chapstick it is much less noticeable). The MAC lipstick (rebel) is a really, really great purply lipstick. It does a look a little intimidating (and super vampy) in the tube, but when you put it on it is a purple with strong magenta undertones. The finish is very nice, and (as with all MAC lipsticks) it goes onto the lips in a very creamy fashion. MAC lipsticks are $14.50 and Revlon's are around 6 (I think).

 Favorite Item in my Closet in January

I got these tights from target. They are, what I am going to describe as, a geometric jumbo Fishnet. They are so cool! I am quite the tights fiend, but I didnt have anything at all like these. When I wore them the first time I wore them with a black dress and black boots for work, and I got about two hundred compliments on them. They are comfortable, and the material they are made of is very soft. They are by the brand Merona and were between $6-$8. I did get them a few weeks ago, so I can't make any promises that they are stil in stores.

Music of the Month

I've been listening to a lot of music recently. Mainly because I am pumped up (like you cannot believe) about an upcoming season of amazing shows, namely Fleet Foxes and Cold War Kids. Fleet Foxes recently reduced a track from their new upcoming album, "Helplessness Blues," which will drop on May 3, and it was outstanding. They are playing a show in Nashville shortly after it drops and (after a very dramatic few minutes of doubt) it is final that I will be attending. Thankkk goodness. That would not have been the show to miss.  Cold War Kids also dropped a new album recently titled, "Mine is Yours." I feel like it strays a little from their usual style, but I really really like it and am looking forward to their show as well. They are playing in Nashville on March 28 at the Cannery. 




Also, if any of you are interested in reading my more personal, random blog the link is
here




until next time (which will be soon this time)
Lo