Style Crush: Gwyneth Paltrow

Following her CMA performance and upcoming Glee episode, Gwyneth has been reminding me of just how much I love her. For years I have admired her beautiful hair, sophisticated yet slightly edgy beauty, long legs and her ability to epitomize an  “effortlessly chic” sense of style.

 By day, her look generally casual. Many times she will jazz it up with either a fitted blazer or some sort of awesome shoe or sandal. If only it could be this easy:

 
 

By night - no holds barred. As a musicians wife, she can easily ‘rock’ the “rocker look” without being too extreme by mixing sophisticated bottoms with killer booties - always. killer. booties.

 

I also love that she is incredibly eclectic on the red carpet. Some of her looks are practically iconic (i.e. pink spaghetti strap ball gown). She's done super glam, girly and edgy, all of which always manage to look like ‘her’.  

 

I could go on and on but I will digress. How does she do this?!? I credit it to both her striking good looks and confidence to pull off whatever her stylish heart desires.... (sigh) I heart her.

Product Rave: Bath & Body Works "Shea Cashmere" Body Cream

In many ways I dislike "girly" things. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty girly but as much as I love the results, I just don't find the fun in sitting in chair for over an hour to get my hair done or have mani's and pedi's. But just recently I've come across a product that despite being so "not me" I cannot help but love. May I introduce Shea Cashmere Body Cream:

This little jar of magic retails for $17.50 at Bath & Body works and is AMAZING! I generally have dry skin, especially in the colder months. I buy most moisturizers at drug stores because I find them more effective and I am not a fan of heavily scented products that generally stock the shelves of B&BW. On a whim, however, I stopped in and saw this beauty. Both the packaging and product is very unique in comparison to the other body creams. The fragrance was slightly off-putting at first, it smells of cupcakes and although I love them, I wasn't sure I wanted to smell like them. But after awhile the smell does tone down to a nice, warm sweet smell that is non-offensive. 

The cream itself is a thick texture that melts right in to the skin and does not leave behind a sticky/greasy feeling. After applying my skin felt incredibly soft and lasted for almost the entire day! After using this for several days now my skin has begun to feel super soft even before application - a sure sign of a winner. Another sign: I'm thinking of picking up the entire collection that includes a body spray and bath gel (again, SO NOT ME). I am incredibly impressed by this product and will continue to re-purchase for a very long time. 

Bottom line: Buy this and enjoy!

Currently loving: Forever 21 Shoes

My current obsession with Forever 21 shoes has been quite a shock for me. For someone who has never bought a pair shoes from the massive retailer before, I have purchased a total of 5 pairs in the last 4 weeks! With enough patience and the right eye, navigating through Forever 21 can actually be quite fun. I love when I am able to find pieces that look incredibly expensive, well made, and unique all for under $40 MAX!

So why the sudden appeal for their shoes? They are incredibly affordable, right on trend this season, drastically change the tone of an outfit and most importantly expendable if/when damaged. With the rain being rather sporadic here in Southern California lately, I've been incredibly nervous wearing my extensive leather and suede collection around town. I have been loving sporting my F21 finds fashionably and worry free! Faux leather + a little water protectant = a happy camper.

Take a look! Like all Forever 21 merchandise, product goes FAST. If items become sold out, no fear, there are always similar styles floating about and new merchandise is being added every day:

Embellished Flats ($22.80) 

These just shout "holidays" to me! They are super adorable and surprisingly comfy. I was afraid the beaded bow would easily fall apart but they are quite resilient and instant compliment grabbers :)

Leatherette Ankle Booties ($29.80)

At last! A comfy 3 inch heel that is completely basic - in a good way. The simple silhouette and versatile color make the bootie idea for skinny jeans, trousers, skirts and dresses! My favorite way to style these bad boys: Nautical striped top, denim shorts and black tights. Sassy and sophisticated...

Cold Weather Combat Boot ($32.80)

I told you I'd have my sherpa moment!!! Not only are these super warm but they add instant edge to a girly ensemble. (Think floral mini dress and black tights). These are super durable and most importantly - NOT CHEAP LOOKING! when styled with more high end pieces these boots are incredibly chic and a must have for jumping those unexpected puddles.

Leatherette Ankle Oxford Boot ($29.80)

The versatility of this bootie is rather astounding. I've worn them tied tighter paired with a skirt for a more Victorian feel and tied looser with skinny jeans for a more "lazy rocker" feel. They really do add a sense of style to a look that cannot be achieved with any of the others mentioned above which is why I've named them my M.V.P. (of this week) :)

Topstitched Short Boots ($26.80)

Otherwise known as my M.V.P. of last week! These were actually my first F21 shoe purchase and quite possibly my favorite of the bunch. They remind me of something that Rachel Bilson would wear (who happens to be one of my style icons!) which means I had to buy them immediately. I like to pair them with chunky socks peeking out from the top. So plain, so versatile, so many possibilities, SO PERFECT! 

Bottom line: It's never any fun toting around the yellow neon bag of shame but sometimes it's totally worth it!

"Harujuku girl I really like your style"...

So a few years back I came across this site through a random series of clicks. It's called YesStyle.com and as someone who loves internet shopping, I must say, it's pretty amazing. They carry a HUGE range of clothing, accessories and cosmetics from designers all across Asia. They also include style tips, look books and it's own blog.

The Good: the clothing is absolutely unique and inspiring. It's no surprise that many U.S. Clothing lines have their merchandise manufactured over seas but the difference here is that the pieces on YesStyle are designed primarily for an Asian culture. They have a hip, cool, layered, baggy yet tailored look to them that is, fit and style-wise, unlike anything I've seen in American stores. 

Asia and Asian street style has set many trends that's eventually go mainstream (I.e. Gwen Stefani circa 2005) so even if you decide not to buy, it's a great site just to browse. You'll find inspiration that rivals the likes of  fashion magazine sites, lookbook or chictopia. You can shop a variety of looks and vibes from super funky to office appropriate and find accessories with the simplest, yet much appreciated, details. Other pros include that the site is super easy to navigate, prices are in U.S. dollars, they provide tons of views on the item you're viewing and they frequently have sales and promos - awesome right!   

The bad: (because nothing is ever perfect) Clothing isn't the cheapest. The items are exports and super unique to the U.S. so don't expect a Forever 21 shopping spree. With that being said, it's not super expensive either, in fact, it's considerably reasonable (starting from $20 - $100+). Sizes are confusing sometimes and do take awhile to decipher due to the fact each country is different. Many pieces come in "one size" which can also be tricky sometimes. Bottom line, know your measurements and have a tape measure handy. 

Overall, I find this gem to be a diamond in the e-tailer rough. As someone who admires the 'Asian rockstar' style and is sick of asking the Japanese foreign exchange student "where did you get that" - only to be bummed that it's definitely not local, I was extremely pleased to find this site. Visit here and let me know what you think!        

Must have's: Cold Weather Accessories

To quote an all time favorite movie of mine, “Don’t forget your booties cause it’s coooold out there today!” That’s right, it’s winter time folks which means it’s time for all you boot lovin’, scarf wearin’, umbrella touting ladies to rejoice! Todays post is about some of my favorite cold weather accessories because there’s nothing better than staying warm and looking chic. Take a look:

Clear bubble umbrella: If any of you have been watching the new season of Gossip Girl then you may have already taken notice of the ever so essential clear bubble umbrella carried by both Serena and Blair.

I fell instantly in love with the “it’s raining but not cold” vibe given off and had to have it immediately. I was lucky enough to find mine at Target for only $16.99. (Feeling like upper east sider, however, PRICELESS!)

Tall boots with socks: My winter/fall/anytime routine usually always consists of a skinny jean paired with tall boots. To add some extra oomph to my look i’ve been wearing chunky tall socks over my jeans to pop out slightly from the tops of my boots. The added touch is slight but absolutely adorable and can add some extra edge to a basic look depending on your sock color. Below is Frye’s interpretation for warmer weather.

Crochet ear warmers: Year after year I turn to the beanie or barret to keep my noggin warm but this year I decided to take a little step outside the box. I recently found this etsy seller who makes the most adorable head bands/ear warmers! SEE HERE! They are reasonably priced at around $15 - $18 and come in a variety of styles and colors! I will be picking up these 2 in particular very shortly...

Other must have items also include eternity/circle scarves, long fingerless gloves, vampy nail color and even perhaps a nylon puffer handbag (see American Apparel, GAP and Marc by Marc Jacobs for some great examples). My goodness - so many items, so little time *sigh*.

But perhaps the most essential item for me is WATER PROTECTANT for all of my leather and suede shoes and handbags. An absolute MUST I tell you! Spray on a nice layer (or two) to your pricey belongings and you’ll be sitting pretty when those unexpected showers begin to drop. A good protectant will run you anywhere from $7.99-$20 depending on the brand but believe me, well worth it at any cost.

So there are my “essentials” hope you enjoyed!

Product Rave: Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover Lotion

I'm sure I don't need to tell you this but removing your makeup at night is absolutely essential. It's also something I hate doing and struggle with every night. I have, however, found an awesome product that I'd like to share with you! If you're anything like me, removing eye makeup can be tricky. I hate liquid removers (I'm talking to you, Lancome Bi Facil). I just find them rather greasy and hate that I have to use cotton balls. Makeup removing pads and cloths never seem to do the trick either and end up irritating my lids. 

Solution? Why, it's Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover Lotion silly!

Before using this, I was using Pond's Cold Cream as my remover but getting product out from the bottom of the pot was never much fun. Neutrogena's formula is very similar to Pond's but is less heavy, greasy and it's unscented. It is extremely effective at removing MOST if not all heavy eye makeup (i.e. waterproof mascara) but whatever might be left can be simply washed away with a following cleanser. It does not irritate eyes and, just as it states, is pretty hydrating as well. I bought mine at Ulta for about $5 which so far, is the only place I've seen it. But I'm sure it will soon be popping up everywhere seeing as it's still new to the market.

HOW TO USE: Squirt out about a dime sized amount of product and gently rub all over you eye. After a few seconds you will begin to see and feel your makeup break down and melt. After about 10 seconds wipe the product away using a soft tissue/toilet paper or (as I prefer) as warm washcloth. 

THE BEST PART (in my opinion) and what really makes this a product rave is that it's perfect for travel! I don't mean it's easy to bring over night with you for a sleep over. I'm talking TSA approved. It's exactly 3oz. which means you can pack it in your carry-on and keep it with you. Which also means, less chances of a makeup remover explosion in luggage extravaganza (once again, I'm talking to you Lancome Bi Facil). I highly recommend this product and I do not considerate excessive in the least. After all, eyes should always be cared for. 

Well that concludes my product rave folks. I hope you try it! And if you do - I hope you love it! 

Till next time... 

Mini Haul: Mac, Bobbi Brown & Shoes!!!

Mac's Venomous Villains collection came out today - as if you didn't know. I'm not a fan of the packaging so I have no intentions on going nuts on this collection. I did, however, fall in love with a few products. Some unique, some not so much but all 100% awesome. Whilst there, I decided to pick up of few other things. I present to you a tiny haul with some added comparisons:

All the black in this photo makes my haul seem kind of sad. Let me include some stock photos to give you a better idea of my un-sad shoes purchases

Chinese Laundry - Sweet Caroline
on sale for $19.99

Nine West - Maeble
(This zipper zips down to create a wide/flared opening - adorable!)

moving on....

my Mac purchases: 

Mineralize eyeshadow duo in She Who Dares (Maleficent). A sparky navy paired with sparkly hunter green. Pigmented enough to wear dry but will make a killer evening look applied wet.

The first thing I noticed was how much larger it was than other mineralized shadows I've bought in the past. It's the usual .07 oz yet its actual width is larger than even a cream color base. It's also slightly pricer than usual ($21.00 vs $19.50) all this this for a tacky image? Whatever, it's unlike anything I already have and I absolutely love mineralized products so I guess it's worth it to me. (Rationalize purchase: CHECK!)

LipGelee in Resort Life (Dr. Facilier) I am IN LOVE with this!! A sparkly taupey/apricot color with tons a refined gold and pink glitter. It may sound juvenile (and thanks to the terrible packaging, may even look so) but this will look so stunning on any skin tone. I prefer the consistency then that of that of a lipglass, it's still sticky but has better longevity on. I'm contemplating purchasing a back up as we speak... 

Over Hue Lipstick

Grease Paint Stick in French Quarter

I LOVE me some grease paint sticks. My general eyeshadow routine will almost always include a dark base. When I saw French Quarter, however, I was afraid it might be too similar to my all time favorite GPstick in Dirty. But as you can see below, it's quite different and extremely essential! :)

above: Grease paint stick in Dirty
below: Grease paint stick in French Quarter

French Quarter is much darker, contains more brown and has hints of multi-color glitter. So gorge! Grease paint sticks never get much love but I cannot recommend this enough.

Bobbi Brown eyeshadow in Black Charcoal (metallic) vs. MAC Gazette Gray (Limited Edition)

The newest from Bobbi Brown is the Black Velvet Collection. Each shadow comes in 2 finishes, metallic and matte. Black Charcoal is a deep ashy charcoal color with lots of silver glitter. Absolutely love at first sight! Suddenly I was reminded of my other favorite grey, MAC's gazette grey form the Pret a Papier collection. I went home and immediately compared. Once again, I was pleased by their differences: 

above: BB Black Charcoal
below: MAC Gazette Grey

Black Charcoal is quite dark whereas Gazette Grey has a much cooler tone and subtle gold flecks. When paired with French Quarter Grease Paint stick you are in for the most gorgeous sultry smokey eye!

Pretty successful Thursday if I may say so myself. What are your thoughts?