Fashion Rewind: Grace Kelly

With all of the royal wedding talk going around I keep thinking of Grace Kelly. Kate Middleton's dress reminds me so much of a modern version of Grace's own wedding dress. Since it is a Friday and I haven't been posting due to being sick and going out of town, I am going to go a little crazy and tried to do a few more post before the day ends.

When you hear of Grace Kelly you think of pure class and elegance. She always held with herself with such poise that you would assume that she was born a  royal. When Grace did finally become a Princess it was only fitting.

For years on the silver screen people saw sophisticated fashion sense that fit Grace's personality perfectly. She always wore outfits created of fabrics that were delicate and rich. Whether she was being dressed by Edith Head for a role or by picking her own outfits they were simple and elegant.

Grace Kelly is an icon in the fashion world and to many woman because her style is timeless. However, it was not the clothes that made her so loved, but her sweet and caring personality.

The Royal Wedding Dress

Unlike many of my friends and most of the world I did not stay up to watch the Royal Wedding; even though I really wanted to! The reason being I had to wake up early to dog sit and if I would have stayed up late I would have never woken up in time. But have no fear I am currently watching one of the many reruns.

Of course the one thing I was waiting to see was Kate Middleton's wedding dress. For months everyone has been speculating what designer she would pick and the style. She went with a lovely classic dress designed by Sarah Burton of Alexendard McQueen.  The dress is strikingly similar to the one that Grace Kelly wore to her very own royal wedding. She wore a long veil, made of ivory silk tulle. Kate's arms and shoulders were covered in lace and that covered the rest of her dress as well.

The tiara Kate wore is the tiara that Queen Elizabeth wore on her 18th birthday and lent it to Kate for the wedding, as her something borrowed.

AP Television News

A fun fact Kate did her own make-up! She took a few lessons before the big day in order to perfect the fresh face.

Bat Those Lashes: Buxom Lash

I love playing with make-up, but for the day to day use I go for the natural look and the philosophy that less is more. Once in awhile I get a little crazy and wear color eyeliner or red or even dark plum lipstick.

For some time now I have been working up the courage to wear color mascara. One of my good friends always wear very little make-up yet, she uses colored eyeliner, usually in a plum, and colored mascara, in a dark green. Both go so well with her eyes and just adds this nice pop.

So after search for a color that wouldn't be to loud and be a nice touch, I found Buxom Lash Mascara Special Effect in Blue Noir for $18.  I have never used the Buxom Lash Mascara before and I am in love with it! It does not clump, does not make my eyelashes look like spider legs and it leaves my lashes feeling soft. 

Oh and that color! The blue noir is a beautiful navy color; the blue isn't noticeable at first but in the right lighting and in the sun it amazing. My eyes are a dark brown and everyone that has brown eyes knows how difficult it is to make them look anything but dull. This mascara gives my eyes a little life without having to cover my eyelids in blue eyeshadow. 

A Simple Quinceañera

Next week I am flying back home to celebrate my sister's 15th birthday. Besides the fact that I am mortified that my little sister is about to turn 15 and her teen angst has just begun; there is going to be a huge party, not a quinceañera but a simple party. Of a lot of my family will be going from out of town and amazing! Also, it is a perfect excuse to buy a new outfit.

Originally, I wanted to wear high waisted shorts with a blazer and my oxfords, but that idea soon crushed. As much as I love shopping I hate trying one clothes in the dressing rooms, the lighting is horrible and the small space makes me anxious. Well, needless to say I had to try on several shorts and none of them where close to being flattering, I suppose they are only meant to look good on women that have the body of a model.

Rest assure I found an outfit that is not too dressy or to bland; very appropriate for a family gathering. Below I posted skirt and blouse that I purchased for the event. The rest of the accessories are either similar to what I'm going to wear or I wish I had to complete the look.

Out to Remember by simplytanya featuring peacock feather jewelry

Cases of the Mondays

Voyage Leatherette Shoulder Bag

Cost: $28.80

Available Here

This sling leatherette shoulder bag is rather basic, which is always appreciated since it can often go with many outfits without being too overpowering. Another winning factor in my mind is the gray color; the bag is also comes in this light pink, but it is just too much for me.

Melie Bianco: Zoe Bag

Cost: $99

Available Here

In the picture the bag looks rather small, but it is the opposite, you can fit your wallet, phone, make-up bag, first aid kit and a book (yes, I carry all of this in my bag, minus the make-up bag). Yes, I know, it is indeed another satchel! I have tried to not post about satchels, but I can't help they are one of many weaknesses. What make this one different from the others, is the stitch work and bamboo detailing and lets not forget the color. The turquoise standouts and is perfect for spring.

When Harry Met Ziggy

For the opening night of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One, I decided to dress up as Harry Stardust. Who is Harry Stardust, you may ask. Well, a few months before the film released an amazing shirt created by Evan Ferstenfeld and Enkel Diakpopped up on the internet. The shirt my friends had the image of Harry Potter donning the incredible iconic make-up of Ziggy Stardust. Instead having the simple and rather small lighting blot on his forehead, Harry had a huge red and blue lighting bolt going across his face.

What promoted to make this post so many months after the day that I made this look, is that Russell Walks has created Harry Potter meets Ziggy Stardust; it's part of a planned series of iconic album covers mashed up with iconic pop-culture characters that he is considering turning into calendars or prints.  We shall she how else he decides to mash-up. You can see his work below.

Now for the fun part, when I decided I was going to dress-up for the opening night of the film (you know because, I'm not 16 anymore it could have looked rather strange, but I have no shame) I went out and bought some make-up and practiced of course. http://likecool.com/Harry_Potter_Illustration_by_Russell_Walks--Pic--Gear.html

I used red eyeshadow from Sephora, using the wet eyeshadow technique and one of their silvery blue eye pencil.

Katy Perry's E.T. 'Red Alien'

Today make-up play time was spent trying to get the Katy Perry's E.T. 'Red Alien' look down. It did not come out as well as I hoped it would, but it still looks pretty decent and playing with the effect on Photo Booth with the make is extremely fun. I also feel that without the gems I look more like an indigenous person than an alien.

The make-up I used to do the red band was red eyeshadow using the wet eyeshadow method. It would have been easier to use red face paint, but I didn't want to go off looking for it and spending money on it either. Used black eyeliner and went over it with black liquid eyeliner to give it a darker look. For the geometric design on my checks, I first made an outline using white eyeliner than with an eyeliner brush went over it with a silver blue eyeshadow. Once again for that I used the wet eyeliner method. Make note that I made one less row than Katy's.

The gems I got at Michael's Arts and Crafts store, I tried a few other crafts stores but they didn't have any  scrap booking gems. The gems are not the same color as the one that were used on Katy, but I felt they were close enough and they were on sale! You might notice that the gems I used on my forehead are bigger than the ones making the 'L' design. The reason for this is the fact that my face is not as wide or large as Katy's, so I didn't have as much room for the bottom gems.

Overall, I do like the final look, but I absolutely love the 'Fawn Look' it is by far my favorite. I posted below some of the pictures I took using Photo Booth, I love how the make-up looks in these effects.

Wicked Wednesday: Buffalo Jeans

Photo from jasoninhollywood.blogspot.com

On Sunday and early Monday morning I was driving around in search of the prefect or decent pair of khaki pants, why you may ask? My response to you is don't ask, it will just give me a headache explaining it.

Any who, on my drive to the Beverly Center I spotted this billboard. Living in Los Angeles you become use to seeing a ton of advertisement and become unaware of them. Rarely do they ever catch my attention, and most of those are usually for a children's film or a Disney movie, because they are more creative with their designs.

Since it is Los Angeles there are many billboards and posters of models in scandalous poses and wearing close to nothing. When I saw this Buffalo Jean's billboard I wasn't shocked as much as I was ashamed. It never seizes to amaze me how women are sexualized and objectified in advertisements. In this Buffalo billboard the model is on fours on a couch (where is she crawling to, she is going to fall off and hurt herself). Also, what is up with her ridiculous facial expression, she looks as if they told her now, "Look vulnerable and sexy. Oh and as if you have a M.A. in Aeronautical Engineering and Quantum Physics." It rather disturbing and there is nothing behind her eyes, such a dumb expression.

If this is an ad for jeans why is it that all my focus is on her lace panties? The jeans blend into the dark leather couch, to the point were you can't even see if you would want to wear them. I don't know about you but I personally don't want to wear jeans that don't even cover up my undergarments.

Shame on you Buffalo Jeans for making such a terrible ad.

The Perfect Perfume

Being a person that suffers from massive migraines that are mainly triggered by scents. Which means I have to be rather careful about the perfumes that I wear.

Over the years I have found a few perfumes that are light enough in scent that don't cause me any pain to use. These are my top five picks out of that very small list.

1. Flowerbomb by Vickor & Rolf
2. Coco Madiemoiselle by Chanel
3. Miss Dior Chérie by Dior
4. Burberry Brit by Burberry
5. Parisienne by YSL

Yes, I know I have very expensive taste in perfume, please don't remind me or my wallet.

Perfume Heaven by simplytanya on Polyvore.com

Films I love the Fashion I'll Never Go Back To: 10 Things I Hate About You

This past weekend was spent watching Katy Perry's E.T. music video on repeat and "10 Things I Hate About You." Oh, how this movie made me wish that I was in high school and had a dreamy boy with an accent trying to win my love over, even if he was paid to do so. Of course high school is never the way the movies and TV makes it out to be. 

What the movie however never made me want to wear ill fitting blue floral pants, platform flip-flops, cropped top prom dresses and lets not forget those chunky Mary-Jane shoes. The one outfit that might wear now is the one that Kat has on at Club Skunk. I might even wear some, okay maybe one outfit that Bianca wears.

There is just something about 90s  fashion that should have never happened, but in all honesty deep down I do love it.   

Tuesday Shoesday!

Bike Path Flat

Cost: $49.99

Available Here

Natural Crochet Canvas Split Body Flats

Cost: $49.50

Available Here

I am keeping it simple with today's post for 'Tuesday Shoesday' post. It is spring time and summer will be here before you know, much to my dismay.  I have picked two pairs of flats to feature today, they are both a light cream/beige color. As simple as they may be each have an interesting aspect to make them stand out, for instance the 'Bike Path Flats' have the bow detailing as well as the dots punched into the top material. As for the 'Natural Crochet Canvas Split Body Flats' other than having an extremely long name is crochet, which just reminds me of the 70s and of Rebecca De Mornay character in "Lords of Dog Town" as Jay's mom. Both would be perfect to wear at the beach or having a nice picnic at the park. Looking at them now I truly hate the fact that I am stuck in doors working.

Cases of the Mondays

Xhilaration Cross Body

Cost: $11.99

Available Here

A simple and small bag, but one that can go with many different outfits. I love the structure and shape of the bag, the only downside to it is the size. It is a rather small bag, but you can fit your cell phone, keys, chapstick/lipstick and a small wallet. I would use this bag for the days I don't have to carry much with me or days that I know I will be walking around all.

Mossimo Supply Co. Large Crossbag

Cost: $24.99

Available Here

Courtney and I fell in love with this bag when went out last Monday and happened to walk into a Target. It is a perfect size, not too big and not too small; not to mention the perfect price tag. The nice coffee brown just pops and you can't help but to look at it when you walk by it. 

Katy Perry's E.T. 'Fawn Look'

In my apartment the new Katy Perry E.T. video is playing non-stop.  The other day I decided to play around with my make-up and try out one of her make-up looks. The one I picked to do was the last looks she has in the video, I'm calling it the 'Fawn Look'.

Now keep in mind that I am not an make-up artist and I am just doing this for fun, it isn't perfect, but I try.

(I didn't have any eyelash glue to glue back my eyebrows -_- )


UPDATE: For the white "dots" I used my white eyeliner (Sephora brand) for the rest of the dots I used eyeshadow using the wet method and applied it on with my eyeliner brushes. I used liquid eyeliner for my eyes, but I first lined them with black eyeshadow than went over it with the liquid.

Touch of Color: Black Swan Inspired

Like I have said in a previous post that I am at the moment slightly obsesses with the film "Black Swan." The last time I saw the film I got the idea to do this with my nails. The technique is called gradient and it is surprisingly easy. The main thing that you have to remember is that you must let each coat dry before continuing on with the next.  I only used 4 colors but you can use as many as you like.

Step 1: Do your base coat, I picked white.

Step 2: Once your top coat is dry, get the cosmetic wedge and apply the next color. Once you got a good amount on the wedge, but not too much, gently start applying it to you nail. Start from the tip of your nail and then go down. You might have to do this several times to get the color that you want. Wait 2 to 3 minuets, than repeat the process with the rest of the colors you are going to use.

Step 3: Again once all of the nail polish is fully dried apply the top coat 

What you need:

3 or more different nail polish
1 Cosmetic Wedge
1 Plastic Plate

Nail Polished Used:
New York Color in Little Italy
Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear in Wet Cement
Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear in Gunmetal
Nail Polish from Hot Topic in Black
Sally Hansen Top Coat