Sunday, September 8, 2013

NYFW Spring/Summer 2014 Spotlight: Costello Tagliapietra

As we fashionistas all know we are in the middle of one of the most important weeks ever...Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week! I always watch the shows of my choice online but this time I have decided to take a different approach.  For everyday of NYFW (September 5-12) I am going to pick a designer that I am not familiar with and feature them here. We all know about BCBG Max Azria, Nicole Miller, Jason Wu and countless others, but a lot of magic happens with the designers and labels that aren't as mainstream. So representing Thursday September 5 shows is Costello Tagliapietra!



I did a little reading up on these guys and it turns out they are a couple living in New York. They both have massive experience and education in the field and have earned many awards to commemorate such, including but not limited to the CFDA/Lexus Hybrid Living award in 2010 and the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award in 2005.  Their most recent collection (C&T) can be found at Barney's and UNIQLO.  I visited my first UNIQLO this summer in NYC and I must admit their line totally fits the atmosphere.




I checked out their NYFW Runway Show on CostelloTagliapietra.com and here are my thoughts.  The models graced the runway will au naturale makeup looks (in a way I am in support of because you know I don't normally appreciate that look) and a simple braid or pixie cut.  They all wore flat goddess sandals, some with an evenly stacked low platform.

This collection is giving me a very Retro (MOD), androgynous feel. The look is perfect for a casual chic PhD student walking the streets of a major US city.  The women who would wear these clothes are educated, confident and have somewhere to go.  She cares about her appearance but at the same time doesn't care what others think of her. She is an on the go risk taker and won't take crap from anyone.



The color story for their spring/summer line, although reminiscent of traditional fall colors is perfect for what seems to be their target market. Blood orange, bright mustard, various shades of blue, and olives are the main hues in this collection with a surprisingly beautiful pop of berry as the finale piece.



 




The contrasting line and cutout placement in various pieces lets me know these guys are very familiar with the female body and know how to create garments to fit and flatter the goddesses of our world!
 


My favorite look of the collection was this two-toned, high waisted skirt. This skirt is such a quietly sexy piece that any women could benefit from.  It can be dressed up or down and worn to a vast array of events.  I would pair it with a patterned silk tank and some sort of brightly colored pumps.



I enjoyed the Costello Tagliapietra show and look forward to seeing more of their work in the future. In the meantime I gotta find that skirt!



Monday, September 2, 2013

Fab or Faux?

Think you know your brands??? Can you spot which look is $121 and which is $6785????











Well.....If you guessed the expensive one to be with the yellow jacket you are correct!  But how cute is the cheaper option?? See everything doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg! Happy Bargain shopping!

Yellow Floral Blazer Set 
Includes Stella McCartney, Tory Burch, Givenchy, House of Harlow and Alexander McQueen to name a few...
top $96

blazer $608

leather leggings $2,618
bag $1880
earrings $95
shoes $448
bracelet $245
bracelet $745
ring $50
=$6,785



Tan/Black Floral Blazer Set
Most items are Target and Forever 21!

blazer $21
pants $24
shoes $49
shirt $30
bag $49
earrings $3.80
ring $4.80
necklace $2.80
bracelet $8.80 and $6.8
=$121


Sunday, September 1, 2013

Ombre Lips Tutorial

Hey ladies!  I wanted to share with you an easy makeup technique that has been very popular lately, Ombre lips! We all have lipstick colors we are tired of, or sometimes you just want an extra pop. Well this is an easy way to jazz it up using colors you already own!

You most definitely want to moisturize before adding anything to your lips, for an easier application, comfort and the best look as an end result.  I highly recommend BabyLips which is just a drugstore lip moisturizer that will cost you less than $5.

The lightest pink used in the center of my lips is Pout by Smashbox.  Followed by a hot pink from the Sephora brand (#11) and I lined my lips with a dark purple by Makeup Forever (#15).  Its super quick and easy, just make sure not to rub your lips together too much to ensure you don't loose the gradient look! Enjoy!!









Smooches with a RED lip! :)

*music played is not in anyway owned by me :)





Friday, August 30, 2013

You've been ShoeKissed! Spotlight: Zara

Hello friends! Today I want to confess my undying love for the beautiful, unique, trendy, fashion forward, affordable, beautiful shoes that hail from the one and only Zara. For the past few months I have been absolutely addicted.  Unfortunately there is not a Zara location in my area so Zara.com has become a favorite on all my devices.  My first experience with this store was a few years back on one of my yearly trips to Chicago.  Next I visited in Dallas and again most recently in New York City. The pieces made a lasting impression on me because it truly feels like they are straight off the runway and tailored just for me and my pocketbook.  Today we are just going to talk shoes, specifically the Spring/Summer 2013 and a few from Fall 2013.

This first pair is one I own and is truly a favorite......
They give you a tribal yet urban feel by mixing the pattern and the stud detail. They are surprisingly comfortable and thank god for that since I had a packing mishap on my last trip to NYC and these were the only heels that made it into my suitcase.  Luckily they are a dear love of mine or I would have been very upset with myself for making that dreadful mistake.

Next up is my most recent purchase, these caged studded sandal flats that are great for those days that I feel like I need a fresh pedi but still don't quite want to wear a full shoe. I wear these to work at least twice a week and they are great for dressing up an uber plain look. I really excited about taking these into the fall by adding opaque tights with my shorts and dresses. This pair and the aforementioned were finds on Poshmark that I got after they had sold out on the Zara site. I got them both at a cheaper rate so I can't explain how happy that makes me!
Next up is a few more of Zara's most popular styles from the Spring/Summer 2013 collection.  These styles are being sold on ebay and other sites at four times the original rate at this point. One thing about Zara is if you like a style you better get it before it sells out because it most likely will not be back! 
Im loving the one strap across the toe look and was devastated when I tried on the shoe with the gold heel and it didn't fit my foot properly.  Had this been a few years back that wouldn't have stopped me but lately I need a shoe that feels half way decent.  I cannot handle pain within the first five minutes of wearing a shoe. I just can't take it anymore. Maybe I'm getting old.

That leopard pair will be mine at some point. Trust and believe.  I just have to find it listed at a price that isn't $190 plus.  They replenished the black version of this shoe in my size on the website (pictured below) but I really do not need another black shoe in my life. Seriously.  The blue patterned shoe is beautiful but it's not a priority above the others.
The colorblock pump came in various colors and is beautiful but its too is overpriced on all sites at this moment. People on Poshmark were reselling those babies for $150 plus, used. I repeat, USED, and not even in good condition.  I'm the queen of thrifting and buying gently used items, but the key word in my statement is "gently."

Next let's talk current events...FALL 2013 is upon us ladies and gents! What does Zara have to offer you ask? Some definite must-haves if I may say so myself.  First off, Wine, Mustard, Navy, and Olive are some colors we all need in our fall ensemble and today I am going to focus on wine and mustard options in the Zara fall 2013 collection.

It's so funny how I don't mind the combination of burgandy and yellow but a true red with yellow makes my skin crawl.  I hate ketchup and mustard! Eww! However these colors I can handle, they will be a beautiful combo for the upcoming season.


The first pair is great for a shoe that can go from the office straight out to play! I love the high front and the sharp lines of this shoe.


Next up, this mustard pump is giving me a formal vibe.  It would be a great pop of color with a solid jewel toned dress.  Royal purple, royal blue, emerald green, even black and white would be awesome set off with this shoe.


 This colorblocked flat is so cute! I could see these with sloutchy boyfriend jeans, an oversized tee and cute accessories.  I'm considering ordering these but I'm on Zara punishment right now.....sigh.




 Lastly I just want to share a few additional styles from the fall 2013 collection that make me smile. 
I love how this one is a bootie but not quite. The exposed ankle gives it just a taste of sex appeal. 


Yall already know how I feel about this one.....The two-piece flats are really cute for a casual chic look......



Well ladies, do you understand why Im addicted to Zara shoes? Now get off of my blog and go shop! Tell them I sent you! 

Smooches with a RED lip!

*Note, all pictures in this post (except the one with my foot in it) came from zara.com or google.com and are not owned by me! 



Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Old Video I Never Posted-MAKEUP HAUL!

Hey guys! This video is a few months old, I never posted it or started making youtube vids.  I found it on my iPad and wanted to share. Sorry about the length! If you watch it all I appreciate you! Let me know if you want to see more videos in the future.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

When did going outside naked become ok?

Ok, I know I'm not the only one who cringes when they see certain trends that simply will not fade away no matter how terrible they are.  There are many fads and fashion-no's out there but one that has been grinding my gears lately is this au-naturale look that has been on the runways the last few years.  And you know runway is one thing but people are starting to think its ok to show up at events like this! Why must we leave the house with naked faces? Why? It's offensive!


I was compelled to speak on this when I saw the latest lookbook from H&M.  The guests at the fall/winter 2013 fashion show in Paris all looked as if they had rolled out of bed around noon and got a last minute invite to a 1pm fashion show. Yes, I know for most celebs a fashion show is just another thing on the to-do list, so spending hours in hair and makeup for every event isn't possible.  But everyone on the page had on little to no makeup, tussled hair and blah outfits.  


In other news I want everyone to know it is ok to NOT have natural hair. Being natural isn't for everyone and just like it did in the early 80's it will go out of style.  For some ladies being natural is a lifestyle and a preference, not a fad and you are the exception. But the rest of you bandwagoners will be back on straight hair as soon as everyone else starts to have creamy crack relapses. And that's fine too.  I've been natural for 3.5 years and I'm tired.  I have put too much energy into this hair of mine, and it's just hair. Im done.