JewelMint

For those of you who have been living under a rock, you MUST go check out JewelMint.com for its awesome assortment of on-trend jewelry designed by Kate Bosworth and her stylist, Cher Coulter.  One of the many things I love about the site is the fact that Kate and Cher describe their inspiration for each piece and how they would style it.  It's like having your own style team there with you when you go in to make a purchase.

I love the site so much, I ended up purchasing the Versailles Earrings to wear on my wedding day.  

Photo courtesy of the talented Kevin Barre

As much as I love the earrings paired with my formal wedding dress, I also love that I can wear them again and again with jeans and a cute jacket for a night out.

 

 I mean, how AMAZING does Kate Bosworth look in the photo below?!  These earrings are so versatile!  Be sure to check out the inventory of fabulous baubles at JewelMint.com and be sure to look out for the sister site, ShoeMint.com brought to you by Ms. Rachel Bilson, coming soon!

And leave a comment below letting me know which piece is your fav and how you would style it!  

Visible Panty Line

Friday morning on my way to work, people were calling in on the radio to discuss this article on CollegeCandy.com, "The 10 Types of Underwear Every Woman Needs," and it got me thinking...what are the essentials? 


What you wear underneath your clothes can be just as important as what you wear on top.  I mean, no one wants VPL (Visible Panty Line)!  True story: When I was in high school, I told my mom it looked like she had 4 butt cheeks!  

The solution here is simple: either wear a thong or a pair of undies that are designed not to show underneath your clothes (Calvin Klein's have been highly recommended for this purpose).  One of the most comfortable thongs are from Hanky Panky.  Celebs have sworn that they are the only thongs comfortable enough to wear while pregnant!  Having never tested this theory myself, I will just have to trust that pregnant women know what they're talking about!  Plus, the line is so darn cute that you will literally love wearing them!  They even have a Collegiate line, so you can show some team spirit right down to your skivie's!  A tip I got from watching one too many episodes of America's Next Top Model is that every model that goes on a go-see should be wearing a nude thong.  Real life translation:  The nude thong ensures that you will be able to wear anything on top without looking like you have "4 butt cheeks" and without being able to see the color of your underwear through your clothes.


Spanx are another essential undergarment that every woman should own!  Celebs swear by them to get them ready for the red carpet.  While they are not the most attractive thing to be seen in, they smooth over every bump and make a woman's curves seamless. They even have a line out for men!


Another item I think is absolute GENIUS is the Miss Oops JAKs.  Worn over jeans and under tops, it looks like a tank top underneath your shirt.  It prevents crack attack because we all know Crack is Whack (I couldn't help myself)!  The brand also makes Boob Tubes and several other female emergency products--hello Show Stoppers! 


One thing you may or may not have already thought about is whether or not to wear underwear as outerwear.  Celebs like Anne Hathaway, Blake Lively and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley have been giving us quite a chic eyeful on the red carpet lately, and quite frankly I love it!

In these photos, the celebs have chosen to bare all in a sheer dress or skirt, but you can also choose to wear a sheer shirt if you are a little too timid for this trend.  

I don't know about you, but completely baring it all is a little to risque for my day-to-day life.  I mean, where would you wear this?  To the grocery store?  That would cause quite a commotion at the check-out line...  That being said, there is a way to tone the look down while still playing into the trend.  Think more about layering than showing off your bra and undies.  I mean, seeing just a peek of a lacy bralette underneath a white button down or v-neck sweater would be just sexy enough.  I also like the idea of catching just a glimpse of an outrageous colored bra underneath a black dress or shirt.  Or try wearing a corset style top with a pencil skirt and cardigan or even a sheer blouse on top.  The key is to keep the pieces elegant and tasteful and only show a little at a time.  No granny panties or cartoon underwear please!  Save those for laundry day!


For more inspiration, be sure to catch the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on CBS Tuesday, November 29th!

Le Smoking Shoe

One of the latest trends is what some people are calling le smoking shoe or le smoking slipper, and it looks like this...

ASOS, Click here for similar

Now, while some of you might be hesitant to try the trend, you should remember that it is no longer just for men in smoking jackets. Olivia Palermo has worn a version of le smoking shoe from the classic brand, Stubbs & Wootton.

Take a cue from Miss Palermo, and wear yours with skinny tapered pants (I am OBSESSED with these- very Victoria Beckham!) and a ladylike jacket for work, or show off your footwear and give your feet a break for the evening in these elegant flats.  These would also look AMAZE with skinny jeans and a cute tee or button down.  If you feel like playing into the expected, pair the shoes with the lady equivalent of the men's smoking jacket.  This velvet blazer from JCrew is so chic! And this velvet blazer with contrasting satin trim from Topshop would be head to toe perfection!

Have fun with this trend and try them in a bold leopard print...

ASOS, Click here to purchase

or fun studs...

ASOS, click here to purchase

How would you wear the trend?

How to Wear a Slip Dress

While a traditional slip is for wearing underneath one's clothes and would fall into the category of lingerie or underwear, the slip dress is more wearable and acceptable as outerwear.  Topshop makes a lovely version below.  Click here to purchase.  I also love this one and this one from Free People.  The pink color plays up the girlishness of the trend.

WHAT NOT TO DO:
To keep from looking like you just stepped out of a Victoria's Secret catalog, the trick is to keep the slip dress free of any frills or lace, as you could easily associate that with actual lingerie.  Also, anything too short or low cut is a no-go.  Basically, anything that looks like this...

 ...is best left to the bedroom.


WHAT TO DO:
Your best bet is to stick to something simple, like the silky knee-length version from Topshop pictured above.  Pair it with a longer blazer, heels, and a long necklace (this one is stunning) and you can actually wear the look for work!  The longer, boyish blazer juxtaposes the femininity of the dress and gives you enough coverage so you do not feel like you are stepping out in a nightie.  Add tights if you still feel a little too exposed.  The blush tone of the slip dress from Topshop above would go great with a grey blazer or even wear it with a blush blazer for a head-to-toe monochrome look!


Another way to wear the trend is with chunky boots and a cozy knit to give the look edge and texture.  I imagine curling up by a fire and reading a good book in this toggle sweater from American Eagle. 


If you want even more texture, this look goes great with this season's shearling jacket for ruggedness or a faux fur trimmed ladylike coat to glam it up!


INSPIRATION:
Here, Kate Moss circa 1990s makes the look seem effortlessly sexy without looking tarty with boots for a laid-back grunge-cool look.  LOVE!

The Metal Choker

 

This great Dannijo choker is available at Shopbob.com in both gold and silver (click here for gold and here for silver).  The metal choker is making a come-back on the runways of some of the biggest names for fall/winter including Michael Kors and Ellie Saab to name a few.  The look is modern and minimalistic.  You do not need anything else.  The necklace is the statement here.   I love how at Ellie Saab the choker was paired with a low cut floor length gown, giving it a 70s vibe...

Or with luxe furs creating a nice juxtaposition between the softness of the fur and the cold/hardness of the metal choker...

Or how Michael Kors paired it with a minimalist pant suit and white button down...

The look could easily be recreated.  Here is a cheaper version from FantasyJewelryBox.com for only $48.95.  

I love the idea of wearing these with metal cuffs, one on each hand--very Super Woman chic!  I love these by Michael Kors new jewelry line, or there are these on sale for $37.90 at Nordstroms!  They come in 4 different colors! 

For an easy way to wear the trend, take Michael Kors' lead with grey pants, a white button down and silver choker and you have a very tailored and modern, minimalist look perfect for the board room!

Leave a comment letting me know how you would wear it! 

Navajo Inspired

Sweater by Old Navy

Long-Sleeve White Tee by H&M (similar here)

Emma Legging by DL1961 (available here)

Minnetonka moccasins (Click here to get yours)

Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses (available at Sunglass Hut)

This outfit reminds me of an outfit recently worn by Kate Bosworth.  The influence is very Native American-inspired, hence the moccasins.  Even though my sweater is more Fair Isle than true Navajo, I thought it was close enough to replicate the feel of the look.  The prints are actually pretty similar between the two styles.  

I got my sweater a few years ago from Old Navy,  but they still have a good duplicate here.  I found an alternate here at Fred Flare.  Or try this cozy red one from Kensie. Forever 21 also makes a great one here.

The whole look is so simple-- just take a Native-American inspired printed cozy sweater, wrap up in it, throw on some skinny jeans, and add moccasins!  Remember to keep your proportions in check when wearing a heavy knit on top.  You want to keep your lower half more fitted and maybe accentuate your waiste with a belt.  What a chic look for running errands on the weekend or snuggling by a fire with a hot chocolate!  I can see this look being very nice après-ski!

If you feel that a sweater is just too much for you, you can always accessorize with fun Native-American inspired accesories and jewelry (how cool is this piece?!).  Or try a simple bracelet like this one.  Feathers, fringe, turquoise, stones, and arrowheads all lend a very Southwestern feel.  Oh, and anything Pendleton is a must!

Look inspired by...

Inside My Makeup Bag

It's always fascinating to see what other girls carry around in their beauty arsenal.  Here's a look inside my makeup bag...

#1.    Urban Decay's Naked Palette.  This is THE ultimate eyeshadow palette.  It was sold out everywhere except online for awhile, and it's no wonder why.  I used this amazing palette on myself for my wedding day, and I got so many compliments.  The colors are so pigmented, as are most of Urban Decay's shadows, but this set comes with everything you need to create a neutral eye, a brown smoky eye, a classic eye...basically the possibilities are endless.  Also, I love to use just the dark brown Hustle color or just the dark black Creep color to line my eyes for an easy alternative to eyeliner.  (Get yours here)

#2.    MAC's Angel lipstick.  Literally the perfect nude lip color.  This is the sworn favorite nude lipstick of Kim Kardashian herself!  I have searched high and low, trying dozens of brands, searching for a perfect nude lipstick, but everything else just made me look washed out or was just too dark to really be considered a "nude."  This color solves that problem!

#3.    Nars Laguna Bronzer.  Every magazine raves about this bronzer, but at $33, it seemed kind of a steep price to pay for a beauty product.  I finally broke down and spent the money on this bronzer, and I could not be happier.  Previously, I had been using loose powder bronzers, but they can come off cakey and can get be really messy in your makeup bag.  This comes off really easily on a makeup brush and applies so nicely.  I love it on my temples, to chisel out my cheekbones, along my nose, and my jawline.  As with all bronzers though, you have to make sure you blend the color into your hairline and down you neck.  (Click here to buy yours)

#4.   MAC's Pink Swoon Blush.  I used this blush for my wedding day, and again, I highly recommend it.  It is the perfect rosy pink color.  I picked it for my wedding because I wanted something that would give me a naturally pretty pink flush but that would also show up and look good on camera.  

#5.   MAC Studio Fix Foundation in NC15.  I love this!  I only use full coverage foundation because I do not have flawless skin, but this foundation literally makes me look like I have no flaws!  I am so pale, too, that this is my color year-round.  Bonus:  It has SPF15!

#6.     MAC Select Sheer/Pressed Powder in NC15.  I use this powder along with my foundation to set everything.  I used to skip this step when doing my makeup, but using powder helps create lasting power.  Plus, I have oily skin, so this helps combat that during the day.

#7.    Makeup Forever HD Powder.  LOVE!!!  For girls with oily skin, this is a lifesaver!  After a long day, if you notice your skin is looking oily or you need to freshen up your makeup, this is the trick!  It is a white powder that literally slicks away oil and makes you look fresh--like you just applied.  Bonus: If you don't have time to wash your hair, but you still want your hair to look fresh, dust this on your roots to wipe away oil and give your hair body.  This is a miracle product! (Find out more here)

#8.   Too Faced "Eye Love" Eyeshadow Palette. While the Urban Decay Naked palette has all of my neutral, brown and bronze tones, the "Eye Love" palette by Too Faced has fun color combinations that the company selects for you.  It's a fool-proof way to achieve multiple looks, including a "Smoky Eye," "Natural Eye," "Naked Eye," and a "Romantic Eye."  Bonus: on the inside, there are instructions for how to achieve each desired look! (I got mine as a free gift by burning up points as a Beauty Insider at Sephora, but you can get yours at Amazon by clicking here)

#9.   Urban Decay All Nighter Spray.  This was one of those impulse buys while standing in the check-out line at Sephora (darn those sample displays!), but it has paid off in a big way!  This spray helps to set your makeup so that it will last all night, hence the name.  The sample bottle is the perfect size to slip in my purse or clutch to spray when I'm out and feel I need a touch up!  (Check it out here)

#10.   MAC Lipliners in Subculture and Stripdown.  Both colors are perfect with my Angel lipstick.  Stripdown is just a little darker, but it's actually my favorite.

#11.   Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara in Black.  Nothing compares to this mascara!  Nothing!  AMAZE!!!  (Click here to get yours)

#12.   Nars Lipgloss in Turkish Delight.  When worn on top of MAC's Angel lipgloss, this gives just the right amount of sheen to an otherwise neutral pout!  I love it!

#13.   MAC Paint Pot in Painterly.  For those times when you want to neutralize your eyelids before applying color, this baby does the trick!  I use it before eyeshadow as a base in lieu of using a primer potion.  It gives pigments something to stick to, and I love it!

#14.   MAC Cream Colour Base in Shell.  This is perfect for using as a highlight on top of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, on your cupid's bow, and maybe just a touch on your forehead to give a candlelight glow.

#15.  Makeup Forever Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow in Aqua Black.  Even though it says it's an eye shadow, I use it as a gel eyeliner.  It goes on smooth, and it lasts even on the water line!  The fact that it's waterproof is so MAJOR!

All MAC products can be purchased here.

What's in your makeup bag?  Happy Thursday!

H&M: Must Have Just $9.95!!!

Everyone loves a good deal, and this sweater from H&M is an incredible deal at just $9.95!  It comes in two great color options--a light beige and a rich golden brown.

I would pair the light beige color with black leather shorts (like these from Lauren Conrad's new line, Paper Crown) and gray or black textured tights and little booties (like these from Aldo) for a fun day look, or go for a more winter vibe with these shearling, rubber soled boots, also from H&M.  For the office, pair the rich golden brown color sweater with tailored trousers and oxford heels! Try the Falge shoe from Aldo, here.

Any way you style it, this is one sweater that will get you through the winter!  With temperatures dropping, now is the time to start layering up!

Peplum Please

The peplum trend is everywhere right now, and that's largely because it's such an easy and flattering trend to wear! The fabric juts out and away from the body at the hips, emphasizing curves and creating the illusion of a smaller waistline!  Peplums, sign me up!  Yes please!

Just look at the incredible Beyonce Knowles...

 And Emma Stone....

 And Diana Argon...

Here is my interpretation of the classic trend...

 

Peplum Shirt and belt- New York & Company (comes in black, white and red click here)

Pencil skirt- Express (similar here)

Patent Peep Toe Heels- Gianni Bini (similar here)
Necklace- Indigo Boutique (similar here and here)

Lip liner- MAC Redd

Lipstick- MAC Ruby Woo

Lip gloss- Givenchy Pop Gloss 457

Ruffle my Feathers

Isn't this necklace totally FAB-OSH!?!?  

(Pick yours up here)

This feather necklace is one of those amazing accessories that transforms a look.  Take any basic, solid colored shirt or shift dress, and pair it with this necklace and you totally transform the look, giving it a new texture and edge.  I prefer one with sleeves and in a contrasting color so that the necklace stands out. Be sure to wear your hair up and out of the way, though, so you really show off your shoulders in this piece, otherwise, the feathers will get lost in your hair.  Oh, be sure to check out the amazingly beautiful Jeannie Mai from "How Do I Look" wearing this necklace here. 

Tip: To make the necklace seem like it is a part of your shirt/dress, use a safety pin or even a bobby pin to hold it in place where the chain meets your collar.

The Kate Moss Effect

Today my look is inspired by Kate Moss.  Leather accents, tough jewelry, air-dried touseled hair,  a smoky eye, and the iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarers make up the look.

T-Shirt- H&M

Emma Legging- DL1961 (shop yours here)

Leather Jacket- DOMA (shop the latest)
Boots- Steve Madden (click here)

Petra Bracelet- Stella & Dot (get yours here)

Necklace- from a boutique

Ring (on right hand)- Charlotte Russe

Rings (on left hand)- wedding and engagement rings

Sunglasses- RayBan Wayfarers (click here)

The inspiration...

(Photo courtesy of onehsk,blogspot,com)