Vintage Mint

I swear, they — the retail clothing gods — better be churning out cute/hip kid clothes like the {limited} Stella McCartney line for Gap Kids by the time I finally have one. Stocking up on cool clothes for my yet-unborn, future children isn’t too irrational, right? Right??

I love everything {EVERYTHING} about this Gap kids holiday line: the soft pinks, grays, cashmere, military jackets {major swoon}, even the yellows {!} — and I am not a fan of yellow.

{ Leave A Comment }Fashion + Beauty, Kids

I love it when I find cool {and easy} DIY projects amongst talented crafters in the blogosphere. Say hello to DIY ruffle v-neck. Fabulous and practical, no?

DIY instructions from say YES to Hoboken {and another ruffle DIY shirt, here}.

{Found via, Design Mom}

Wow! I can’t believe I didn’t think of this gem-of-an-idea: exchange the clothes in my closet that are in really good {somtimes, um, not even worn — that’s impulse shopping for you} condition with others in the same boat {and size}, ONLINE! But, thredUP got the leg-up on this concept. Makes sense, given that — according to their website — we use only 25% of the clothes in our closet.

Um, I’m 100%  guilty of this; sad, considering I have a completely stuffed closet, with tons of clothes in storage and yet I feel like I wear the same outfits every week.

{Jenna Lyons’ enviable closet}

{Photo via Domino Magazine}

I want to go home and make this simple DIY bead necklace, right now! It looks fairly easy to make, and the materials are simple enough: beads, thread. Good mix of muted colors/shapes yet bold enough to be considered a statement necklace.

{a la Martha Stewart, of course}

Directions, here.

{Photo via Martha Stewart}

*Update: Bought the the Black Tie Optional shine gloss and LOVES it! Surprisingly it doesn’t mute or gray-out my lips {with lipstick on}, and it definitely gives off a more complex hue. And the gloss is huge (!) and a little goes a long way, so in all, great product.

For the past couple years, each Fall I’ve been on the hunt for THE perfect shade of dark vampy red/violet lipstick. Don’t know if it’s the constant makeup propaganda from the Fall fashion runways year after year, or my inner goth crying out “be a big girl already and try a dark merlot lip color!” Last year, the closest I could get was Chanel’s Rouge Noir {a darkened purpley red}, but this year the makeup gods must have heard my secret prayer. Chanel now has 3 black-tinted lipsticks to choose from {part of the Noirs Obscurs collection}: Maniac {black-red}, Obscure {black-brown}, and Hysteria {black-violet}. Although, I think I’m going to try out Lipstick Queen’s Black Tie Optional {either in lipstick or gloss form}. It’s supposed to be like “black lace stockings for your lips” — it’s a smokey sheer color that goes over your {insert color here} lipstick or can be worn all by itself. Either way, it gives your lips more depth and intensity.

Not just for Halloween anymore!

{Lipstick Queen lipstick: $18; gloss: $22}

{Chanel lipstick: $30 –sold out!}

Vampy lips done right.
{Of course, it doesn’t hurt if you already have a flawless face to begin with…}

{ Leave A Comment }Fashion + Beauty

Thought I’d share one of my favorite blogs: Hollister Hovey. Hollister and her sister, Porter, share an affinity for all things 19th century British/Indian imperialism (think pith helmets, taxidermy, rich cognac leathers, dark and decadent furnishings…). Very Ernest Hemingway meets Wes Anderson — historical + quirky. Loves. It.

They have an eye for old world vintage wonders and bygone luxuries.

{Their apartment. I know! Jaw-droppingly cool.}

Spectacular themed soirees…

{Great idea!}

And chic-dressed vacations.

{My vacay outfits always scream “lazy tourist”. A far cry from these sisters.}

{ Leave A Comment }Fashion + Beauty, Home + Garden, Inspiration

Ohh…I wish I were in Paris! Don’t you love Sofia’s ad campaign for Miss Dior Cherie? Classically girly, and very French, n’est-ce pas? {Can you tell I don’t remember any of my French from high school? Sad.} I’m sure the spring time over there is just peaches. Until my fantasy Parisian vacation comes true, I might have to settle for this cute bottle of perfume.

{Image via fashionologie}

{ Leave A Comment }Fashion + Beauty, Inspiration

Sure, you’re not getting the exquisite “painted resin beads” or “Czech glass crystals,” but this $20 version from here is definitely more affordable {and almost passable} than the $150 J.Crew baubles.

{Less: $20}

{More: $150}

{ Leave A Comment }Fashion + Beauty

Although summer is my least favorite season {if you lived in hot upper 90/low 100 degree weather for a good 5+ months out of the year, you would too…unless you’re a snowbird},  I love how whimsical and fresh Saltwater’s summer line looks.

{ Leave A Comment }Fashion + Beauty

I kind of thought gladiators were “done” but all the new sandals I’ve seen for spring/summer collections are either variations of the gladiator or the annual wedge /espadrille wedge. At first, I hated the gladiators — I knew they would make visual stumps of my legs. But then I caved and started pining for a pair, only to not find any that I liked. Until now. I think I can handle these pyramid-studded gray beauties — simple yet not expected.

{$25, Target of course!}

{ Leave A Comment }Fashion + Beauty