6 items for my closet

Sometimes I feel like clothes will make me happier. I know that is kind of ridiculous, but I love the feeling when you are looking forward to wearing a new piece of clothing for the first time. Here are some items that I need want.

{for images and more inspiration, go here)

1. Middie skirt
2. Hooded parka
3. Color block frock
4. Leather leggings
5. Mint skinnies
6. Gold sequin blazer or cardi

top 5 dress picks from the oscars 2012

This year more than most, I was not very interested in the Academy Awards for the actual awards (I had seen a whopping one of the films nominated for best picture). I was interested in the dresses. All Awards Season, I was waiting for this fashion grand finale, and the ladies of Hollywood did not disappoint. 

Here are my top 5 favorites:

Rose Byrne in Vivienne Westwood

(Black and sparkly, this dress showed off her statue-like figure and showed her lovely shoes)

 Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab

(She looks gorgeous in this one shoulder, beaded number that shows off her lady-like figure)

Rooney Mara in Givenchy

(Simple, white, and modern.)

Kristen Wiig in J.Mendel

(I am a sucker for blush and sweetheart necklines.)

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

(Jessica Chastain stood out in this gorgeous, intricately embroidered gown, which went perfectly with her hair)

yea or nay: {floral pants}

How do you guys feel about the floral pants trend?  I can see myself in some, but others I feel belong only in grandma's curtains, and I can see my future children making fun of me to no end in the future should they see a picture of me in them. 

That being said, here are some floral pants that I like (especially #4!)

1. Anthro 
2. Dolce and Gabbana
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs
4. J. Crew
5. Anthro
6. Anthro

So what do you think? Do or don't?

designer taste, student budget

As much as I would like to pretend that I am living the dream here in LA and romping around in Louboutins and wearing Prada sunglasses, I must admit that I am not. I am a student paying $50,000 a year for my education and living expenses. However, I am still a great admirer of fashion, and have been wanting a Chanel bag for a while now. No matter how hard I try, I cannot think of any way to justify spending $2,500 on a purse at this point in my life.

I considered going to the fashion district in LA to buy a knock-off. Many issues arose with this consideration, including the law, and looking like an impostor. What is worse, trying to look like you can afford Chanel and being discovered sooner or later, or simply admitting that you like the style but can't afford it? I choose the latter.

I was excited to have found a similar bag on Asos for 1/100th of the price. It is still chic, and I think it will satisfy my craving just fine.

real Chanel flap bag- $2,500

Asos- $28.65

J.Crew Studio Fall 2012

J.Crew has a new head women's designer and I think I love him. Tim Mora stated that he wanted to focus on "head to toe" dressing. You will see this evidenced in the collection, debuted yesterday evening, from the plentiful patterns. He mixes and matches patterns and textures that are unexpected but totally welcome (from my point of view). I was on the fence in regards to this emerging trend of patterned pants, but now I really, really want a pair. Specifically, the green ones in the second picture.

Read more about the collection and view all of the photos here, and tell me what you think of it!

valentine's day outfit #2

I already posted today about an outfit for Valentine's Day, but I really wanted to incorporate those cute tights from Urban Outfitters. I would describe this look as more cute and flirty.The items in this set are guidelines and most likely can be replicated by items you already have... a short dress, a heart necklace, a cute headband. All you need is the tights! What do you think?

L.Erickson headband, Circa joan & david shoes, Coach necklace, Love dress, Urban Outfitters tights

valentines day outfit

I love dressing up for Valentine's Day and the excuse to look as feminine as possible, whether your valentine is your significant other or a group of your girlfriends. I do not, however, like blending in with everyone else (i.e. wearing a pink or red dress). That is why this Valentine's Day, I plan on wearing a neutral colored dress with very feminine features, and pops of Valentine's Day color in my shoes and lipstick.

This look reminds me of an elegant ballerina. I have always thought ballerinas epitomized femininity and I think that would be a perfect goal for a Valentine's Day outfit.

kate spade lipstick, house of harlow 1960 necklace, love dress, classic chanel, asos platform ballet flats

P.S. These adorable heart tights would be a delightful pop of color in nearly any V-Day outfit!

spring makeup essentials

1.  rosebud strawberry lip balm 2. bahama mama bronzer 3. sonia kashuk sheer magic  mineral face palette 4.  nars  pure matte lipstick 5. mac fix+ finishing spray 6. urban decay liquid liner 7. jemma kidd lash xtension mascara

you'll have to forgive me if i seem to be getting ahead of myself with all of my recent spring posts. while i am aware that most of the country is experiencing cold and snow, it has been in the 80's for a while here in los angeles and i am already feeling springy. 

my list of spring makeup essentials helps me to achieve the goal of a natural, sun kissed look. sonia kashuk's sheer magic concealer, powder foundation, and blush trio is affordable and provides coverage that rivals  more expensive mineral makeup. bahama mama bronzer is simply the best bronzer i have ever tried, and lacks shimmer, assisting in the natural beauty look and can be used for contouring. of course, a good pink lipstick is necessary and i have found that nars pure matte carthage lipstick is perfect. rosebud strawberry lip balm is perfect to put over the lipstick for a more glossy look at times, or to wear by itself for, again, a natural look. recently i have been wearing jemma kidd lash xtension mascara, which gives an impressive amount of volume and length to my lashes. also for my eyes, i have found after trying many different liquid liners, urban decay liquid liner is easy to apply. there is time to fix any mistakes before it dries, and then it lasts all day and night. to finish it all off, i like to apply mac fix+ finishing spray, for a dewy and radiant look.

i would love to know your favorite spring makeup as well!

My Top Ten Picks: Screen Actors Guild Dresses 2012

getty images

The second big awards show took place tonight in this awards season tonight. Of course, I was watching keeping my eye out for pretty dresses and trends.
Here are a few things I noticed:

• I think its official: white isn't just for weddings anymore (nor is white required for a wedding dress)
• Pants! (Rose Byrne and Betty White)
• Lots of detailing and embellishments.
• Jewel tones

Here are my top 10 picks for this year's sags:


10. Viola Davis- Marchesa

9. Natalie Portman- Giambattista Valli

8. Ahna O'reilly- Nha Khanh

  7. Ashlee Simpson- Jenny Packham

6. Tina Fey- Vintage Versace

 5. Tilda Swinton- Lanvin

getty images

 4. Dianna Agron- Carolina Herrera

getty images

 3. Amber Heard- Zac Posen

getty images

 2. Jessica Chastain- Calvin Klein

getty images

1. Rose Byrne- Elie Saab

getty images

Rose Byrne is my latest fashion icon, so this may be a little bit biased. But how can you argue with her daring  embellished jumpsuit and simple bob? I also loved Jessica Chastain's choice of color with her hair. And that neckline. The biggest (pleasant) surprise for me was Ashlee Simpson's gown which channeled a 1920's Great Gatsby vibe. 


What do you think? Did I leave someone out? Who was your pick for best-dressed?


P.S. The men didn't disappoint either!

high-low

if you haven't already noticed, this spring  is promising a lot of asymmetrical, or high-low, hemlines. last season featured many maxi dresses, but i love this maxi-with-a-twist look, as it is so effortlessly classy. at first, i was apprehensive about this new trend, as i was unsure whether i would feel like a man in the victorian era wearing a tailcoat. as with most trends, however, i came around and now completely obsessed. below, i have shared some of my favorites, which include both daytime and nighttime skirts and dresses to suit any occasion.

1, 3, 5: love

2 & 6: forever 21
7: dorothy perkins

This dress is one I found at a local boutique by peppermint. incorporating many of my favorite trends including chevron, bright colors, and the high/low hem, it is on my valentine's day list. 

currently coveting: colorful italian ballets

hey everyone! sorry for this unoriginal post (i literally got the image above from my j.crew e-mail of the morning)- i am just so busy with my interterm classes right now! that does not retract, however, from my lustful desire for some pretty colored ballet flats from j.crew. slightly pricey for flats, i am a firm believer in paying a higher price for something you know is going to support your feet and last you for a long time. plus, ballet flats never go out of style. i love the red, the brown, and the aqua colored ones. what color would you choose?



enjoy your weekend, everyone!

my top ten picks: golden globes dresses 2012

Did you catch the Golden Globes? Unfortunately, I was unfamiliar with many of the shows and such, so the actual awards did not interest me themselves. As always during awards season, however, I did have fun looking at all of the lovely ladies and handsome gentlemen, choosing my favorite dresses and looks, and seeing the best and worst dressed according to various sources. It is always funny to me how someone who is the "worst dressed" will show up on a different "best dressed" list. 

As far as trends go, several things caught my eye. Of course, the sequins that have been all the rage made quite a showing, which is just fine by me. Many of the ladies were also dressed in nude shades. I was happy to also see the animal prints and feathers, as that is precisely what I have fancied lately. Another trend I was pleased to see was the sexy open backs competing with necklines. Overall, it was a very understated sort of glamour, which is very refreshing for me to see, as big poofy ballgowns have never really been my thing.

Here are my top 10 picks. The criteria was basically just what I would really want to wear, should I ever go to the Golden Globes. Who would be your pick for best dressed?

10. Reese Witherspoon- Zac Posen

9. Julie Bowen- Reem Acra

8. Evan Rachel Wood- Gucci

7. Jessica Chastain- Givenchy

6. Diane Lane- Dolce and Gabbana

5. Salma Hayek- Gucci

4. Emma Stone- Lanvin

3. Claire Danes- J. Mendel

2. Michelle Williams

1. Angelina Jolie- Versace

The biggest disappointment for me was Zooey Deschanel's dress (and bouffant), since I usually agree wholeheartedly with her fashion choices.

Images were found here and here.

open shoulder

nastygal- $52

i am definitely down with one of the hot new trends: open shoulders. t-shirts, sweatshirts, blouses, dresses... you name it. i love the subtle sexiness and added elegance to any article of clothing. below, i have some of my favorite shoulderless blouses and dresses. i'm thinking, though, that i just might transform one of my older shirts or dresses myself!

1. MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela- $219.45 2. Anthropologie- $199.95 

3. Urban Outfitters- $59 4. Anthropologie- $89.95 5. Topshop $46.50 6.  Topshop $52

Rumor has it...

...Anthropologie will be participating in Black Friday this year. According to Effortless Anthropologie and my source who works there, Friday from 6am to 11am, sale items will be an extra 50% off. Wake up, get your peppermint mocha, and get there early, because I'm pretty sure this will be the best sale Anthropologie has ever had.

I have had my eye on this coat for a while. Hopefully I can snatch one up before everything's gone! Find more things you may see at the sale here.

Stipulations:
- sale clothing only
- in-store only
- not valid on charge/sends
- items cannot be put on hold
- USA only as of now