Size Does Matter

Let me tell you a story. 

One of the very first times I can remember being brave enough to approach a department store make-up counter (hey, I've even worked behind one or two of those counters since and I'm still intimidated) the consultant whipped out something that looked like a puzzle or game of some sort where she'd ask me questions about my skin to determine which products were the best for me.  And just when it was getting fun, the question came to pore size (something I'd never even thought about before) and she looked up from her abacus thingy to my face, squinted a bit, and said under her breath quite decisive-like: LARGE. 

I remember my hand involuntarily resting squarely atop my mouth for a few moments as to muffle my obvious embarrassment.  How could I have been walking around so long with something so noticeably ginormous (I mean, even a stranger could see my pores from a mile away!)  After my assessment, I ended up leaving with something safe like lipgloss in my shopping bag, but even all these years later, I've never forgotten that I have to pay close attention to the abnormally humongous holes resting on my cheeks (funny what you choose to retain, remember and focus on sometimes when it comes to our own definition of beauty, right?)

Thank goodness L'Oreal and their trusty too-pretty-for-mere-words spokesmodel Linda Evangelista have come to my rescue with their Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base that I saw in an ad as an answer to all my skincare needs and anxiously waited the few weeks until I could get my hands on it at my local Target for around thirteen dollars (a small price to pay for pore reduction)

As soon as I did, I noticed something remarkable: one little circle motion of an application later and - POOF! - no more pores for me!  I don't even need to wear foundation as it smooths my face so well that all that's needed is a pinch-o-the-cheeks for natural blush factor, mascara to open my peepers and gloss for my pucker and I'm ready to face my adoring public.

Bonus?  After putting on said magic primer, my striking resemblance to Ms. Evangelista is uncanny.  It's like we're related or something.  Seriously.  No joke.

I guess it's true in some cases what they say:  Size does matter.

My magic in a jar image courtesy of Target

Leather And Lace

After last week's 'The Look For Bex' post, I was encouraged by a bestie of mine to make it a permanent Thursday feature where I post a photo of an outfit that inspires me to 'twist it up' in my own little way (like making this particular jacket leather or adding a bit more shim-shimmery to my dress) and find all the key pieces in a look-for-less kind of a deal.  So I'm back today with the above photo (seriously cool juxtaposition of everything sweet and gritty rolled into one on Joanna Hillman) and my inspired interpretation below:

five dollar and eighty cent sunglasses

{forever 21 dot com}

under eight dollar super lustrous lipstick in certainly red

{revlon dot com}

thirty nine dollar and eighty cent studded faux leather jacket

{forever 21 dot com}

one hundred and thirty eight dollar dancing queen dress

{free people dot com}

six dollar and eighty cent rounded edges bracelet set

{forever 21 dot com}

seventeen dollar and eight cent quilted bow shoulder bag

{forever 21 dot com}

six dollar and eighty cent color line tights

-there's a red seam line in the back-

{forever 21 dot com}

twenty two dollar and eight cent mystery platform heels

{forever 21 dot com}

Now I totally want to go out and get every piece of this outfit (thanks mostly and ever-so-much-ly to the bargain-y F21) and rock it - red lips and all!

The picture that inspired it all courtesy of the genius over at Citizen Couture

An Apple A Day

I've been seeing quite a bit of apple-y goodness making its way from blog to bloggity blog lately and thought it due time that I too not only sate my appetite but take a gander at what all the frock fuss has been about over at the darlingly delicious page known as Shabby Apple.

As soon as you arrive, you are immediately thrown back to an era where the dress takes center stage with red lips and the prettiest of heels as accessories.  And what did I gravitate towards?  The go-with-absolutely-everything LBDs, of course!

And the ooey-gooey caramel-y goodness drizzled ever-so-delicately on top of these tasty apples?  They are all under one-hundred dollars (!) and ripe and ready for your taking.

Yum. Yummy.

The images of the dresses with the bestest courtesy of Shabby Apple

A Leg Up

I just really, really want these so I can at least look like the tough-as-nails cool chick with the leather pants ...

She's Got Leather-y $29.80 Legs courtesy of Forever 21

Modern Romance

Wouldn't this make the perfect ring for a modern-y, non-traditional groom?

I thought so too.

forty-five dollar bargain-y 'ring-er' of a pic courtesy of obey clothing

Swimmin' In It

This is so pretty ... I just wanna reach out and pet it.

{and i'll be hoping and praying too for some kind of miracle where it goes down a bit in its $98 apiece price and that it's in my size when it does}

Oh-so-stylin' suit courtesy of Anthropologie

The Look For Bex

It's quite rare when I see an entire head-to-toe outfit that inspires me so that I must go on the hunt to find pieces that can inspire my very own version of it, but after seeing this photo sitting so prettily off to the side of one of Garance Dore's posts, I had to believe if she ever caught wind of my bargain-y attempt that she would view it as imitation really being the sincerest form of (fashion) flattery: 

thirty-two dollar sur le tete ombre swinger hat in camel

{village hat shop dot com}

twenty-four dollar and ninety cent crochet panel sweater cardigan

{forever 21 dot com}

fifty-eight dollar printed cold shoulder blouse

{urban outfitters dot com}

twenty-nine dollar pleated pants

{newport news dot com}

forty dollar champion acid wash taupe canvas sneakers

{keds dot com}

So ...what do you think?  Would Ms. G and her model/subject be proud?

Inspirational image that started it all found at Garance Dore

There's No Place Like Rome

I had a bit of a Monday marathon this past President's Day where I happily traveled the globe with many a shopper on House Hunters International; a particularly engrossing, pick-my-jaw-up-off-the-floor hunting destination was Rome (just look at the above picture) where I followed a gal moving from New York City to The Eternal City to both work (she accepted a teaching position with a living/housing stipend included by her new employer) and play.

I was right beside her as she walked down the cobblestone streets and viewed her three how-could-you-possibly-choose-just-one renting options and was swept away by the romance of it all (and I may have pretended it was me looky loo-ing there imagining myself eating nothing but bread and pasta for every breakfast, lunch and dinner instead of her)

And as the episode came to a close (and reality set in) the selection was made (a darling two-bedroom villa-like rental that her realtors bargained down to a super duper steal of a deal, saving her over 500 smackaroos a month), I couldn't help but come to this realization:  Goodness me ... I need to get a passport!

Roman Holiday of an image courtesy of HGTV's House Hunters International

The Glamour Gods

Tip o' the Day:

When you find yourself sitting in front of the mirror, resting your elbows on the counter for the umpteenth time, trying for that perfect little cat eye flip with your black liquid liner ... try this trick from the smarties over at Glamour:

Do thick liner (hold up a credit card to get the flick at the end straight) and add mucho mascara.

A credit card?!  Why didn't I think of that?

Geniuses walk the halls over there.  Geniuses.

Lovely liner tip and pic courtesy of the March 2010 Glamour (page 245 to be exact)

Suspendered In Style

As soon as I laid eyes on this guy (all thanks to my favorite streetstyle shutterbug, V), I knew the next fella I fancy is for sure, without a doubt, going to wear outfits like this everyday from the vintage tee and the scarlet suspenders to the cuff/bracelets and the perfect-fitting dark denim jeans (wouldn't hurt if he had totally cool tats or owned his own shop either - read the full story here)

Stockholm Style Stud shot courtesy of Vanessa Jackman

Valentine Schmalentine

Best. Valentine(s). Gift. Ever.

{or so I would think if I were to get it and wear it from being part of a couple and not a single}

$35 Neck candy pic courtesy of Obey Clothing

A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose

I've only ever been given roses (deep, dark red ones) once in my life (sad, but true) so every year when the Holiday-That-Must-Not-Be-Named by singles everywhere rolls around, I can't help but feel a tiny little twinge in hopes that I may be able to open my door to something as beautiful as the bouquet above (and this particular company just happens to be local to where I call home and delivers) You know, just in case.

Rosy reds pic courtesy of Olive and Cocoa

The Pretty Things

I am a devoted (some may even use the word 'avid') wedding show watcher (Platinum Weddings or Say Yes To The Dress, anyone?) so it came as no surprise to me that I fell just as head-over-heels in love with the Grey Likes Weddings blogaroo (thanks to this post by the divine The Drifter and the Gypsy) where the author (as a floral/wedding designer and consultant herself) loves to do one thing (and does it so very well): share all the pretty that comes with a wedding.

Being a fan of all pretty little things, I swooned over everything I laid eyes upon, from blissed-out engaged duos posing giddily during photo sessions:

To gorgeous gowns galore (all the while pretending to be the blushing bride-to-be, of course):

And wedding receptions decorated oh-so-timelessly with no detail left unattended to:

Seriously stunning.  After seeing just a teeny-tiny peek into this blog, now I know you can see why I had to (just had to) choose this for my Website of the Week.

Now, one last question.  Who will marry me?  Huh? Huh? (If only just so I can plan it all out and have it look just like all of these pretties)  Any takers?  Anyone?  Anyone?

All wedded bliss pics courtesy of Grey Likes Weddings

The Belt Route

I'd been thinking for quite some time that I needed a belt, but not just any old belt, I needed a belt that would loop, cinch and fit right in with all of my tunic-y, blouse-y tops and looser-fitting dresses.  It had to be perfect.  So when I saw this 14 dollar one in the vast accessories array on Lulu's (see many more here) my waist and I just had to have it.

In the week and a half or so since arriving in my closet, I've already buckled up in it twice (it literally and quite easily goes with everything in my wardrobe) and if I admit that, if I could, I would wear it each and every day, all day ... that's gotta mean that I took the right belt route, right?

Belted pic courtesy of the loverly Lulu's

Suit Yourself

Two things sprang to my mind when watching the above video of Utahnian band, Somber Party {go, Beehive State, go!} while reading the often hilarious, always engaging cjane and her one-day-if-I-keep-my-fingers-crossed-my-little-site-may-be-as-uber-popular-as-her-blog-tastic-musings:

One.  Must find orange-y, yellow-ish vintage-y chair just like that one. 

{that the lead crooner sits down on and in}

Two.  Must cleverly convince every man out there {especially today since it's another Manly Monday} in the blogosphere {and beyond} to wear a three piece suit-looking outfit just like the pretty-voiced singer in the video.

So, yeah.  That's just what I was thinkin'.

Suited up Somber Party music video courtesy of YouTube

Little Boy Blue

The phone just rang with my savvy sister on the other end urgently needing my shopping opinion on the possible addition of the above (and on sale for 15 dollars) denim shorts to my always-super-stylin' nephew's closet.

I immediately (time is of the essence when you've got an Old Navy sale item in your online shopping bag) gave my 'yea' vote to only the dark wash (the medium wash is - and will forever be - a definite no-no) because they have such a darling Huck Finn-y vibe going on. 

And they come with a belt.  We all know boys can never have too many belts.

 Must-Have Sale Shorts pic courtesy of Old Navy

So Fresh And So Clean

I woke up and decided that this particular Friday would be the best time to gush about one of my absolute favorite new discoveries in the beauty aisle (and must apologize for the overuse of alliteration here, but sometimes this word nerd just can't help herself)

Say hello to my Friday's Fantastical Find (hey, at least I warned you) Burt's Bees Fabulously Fresh Peppermint & Rosemary Body Wash. 

I've had this bottle sitting in my shower now for maybe just a tiny bit over a week or two and it's already more than halfway gone!  Every time I squeeze its contents onto my puffy little pouf, I find myself lingering a bit longer, inhaling all of its minty freshness.

It's got a cooling effect that soothes my rough, dry skin with every soaped-up lather and I just think that the packaging happens to be oh-so-pretty too (not to mention its five-star-obviously-shower-satisfied-customer rating on the website)

And at 8 buckaroos?  That's what I call the bee's knees.  

Product pluggin' pic courtesy of Burt's Bees

Tweet! Tweet!

A little tweetin' birdie told me (well, showed me) this ridiculously adorable ($38!) ring from a Rachel Roy twitpic.

Can't you just hear all the chirpin' chatter and compliments that will be coming your way once its resting on your fabulous finger?

Perfectly perched pic found here 

Catwalk To Closet

Have you ever found yourself sitting comfy-cozily in your humble abode, clicker in hand, watching a fashion show of your favorite of-the-moment designer full of nothin' but models struttin' their stylish stuff and actually sighed (I mean out loud) while imagining just what it would feel like to wake up with one (or two, or three) of those outfits hanging in your very own closet?  I know I'm most certainly guilty as charged and my empty-ish wallet and I thought it was to remain 'only in dreams,' but that was before I knew about Runway Rundown.

Get this.  The wunderkinds over there actually take a runway look for inspiration (see just what I'm talkin' about below) and post it side-by-side with pieces they scour and find (and then ever-so-kindly tell you exactly which stores to get your 'shop on' and in) to complete the entire and oh-so-ready-to-walk-out-the-door-and-wear look for much, much less.  Yeah.  So they do all the 'wardrobe work' for you.  All you have to do is go and get it.  Bargaining at its best - and daily! 

If that wasn't enough - and you're like me and love the thrill of the bargain hunt - you can even get all sorts of specific and search the site yourself by designer, trend, style, price or retailer ... all at your little fingertips. Can it get any better than that?!

 

 Well, yes ... yes it can ... and it just did. 

Not only can you look all couture-clad on a budget, but they've just gone and launched a contest program for all us steals-and-deals-seeking stylistas (I know!) 

All you have to do is click on over here and create yourself a little account and start gushin' and gabbin' to all your fashion-y friends (all the while earning points for each pal that joins the hunt) Spread the word (just by talkin' clothes!?) and get rewarded with freebies for it.  Simple as that.  Easy-peasy.

So I guess it's true what they say (even for budgeting babes):  Dreams really do come true.

All 'Runway to Realway' pics courtesy of Runway Rundown