Missoni for Target

Missoni for Target is out!  However, I'd suggest waiting for Target to restock, since much of its items sold out on the first day!

What would you get?

Missoni for Target® Women's Shoulder Bag - Passione

 Missoni for Target® Short-Sleeve Knit Dress - Multicolor Zigzag Print

Missoni for Target® Cardigan Sweater - Multicolor Zigzag Print

 

I personally like their cardigans, however, the material quality doesn't seem to be that good, and it's sold out both in stores and online.  However, I will try tracking down some of the items later!

Support Stacy Lomman on Kickstarter!

Fashion has been increasingly outsourced to outside countries, making costs for producing American-made clothing more expensive for smaller designers.  Stacy Lomman is using Kickstarter to fund her Spring 2012 collection, "Biohazard".  Help support the economy!  Clothing made in the United States are more expensive, but are often of better quality, and ensure that laborers have a higher standard of living that the US is so acclaimed for.  Pledgers of $20 or more on Kickstarter will also receive bonuses like bracelets, calenders, and even VIP seating at her show.

Hurry!  There are only 12 days left to fund her show, and she still needs $1865 to reach her goal, or else she doesn't get a single cent.  Pledge + More Info Here!

Her Fall Show:

Interesting Links: Peculiar Beauty

Hello everyone!  I've been working on some personal projects for while, so I apologize for the silence on this end. 

However, I've found some interesting blogs to browse through, one of them being Peculiar Beauty, a blog written by Bonnie Downing on ancient beauty remedies and vintage tips on anything from fashion, to exercise and cookbooks.  It's an entertaining and informative read; I've spent hours on her blog just browsing through the archives!  Mostly, though, I'm just glad modern beauty products and treatments have evolved from lead powders and kohl.

If you have time, be sure to give Bonnie's blog a read!

DIY of the Week

I found this really cool craft project this week ad thought that I would share it with you:     Ribcage T-shirt.  I think the idea of doing something creative to the back of the shirt is really neat!  It would be great for Halloween because of the skeleton factor, but it would be also fit any occasion where you would want to dress a little edgier.

I am definitely going to get pictures of this if my DIY attempt goes well!

Rawr

For my friend's birthday, I wanted to make something from scratch.  Well, nearly scratch anyway.  She had been seeing some people wear hooded sweatshirts with dinosaur spikes, and she asked me to make one for her.  A dinosaur hoodie?  How could I refuse?

Sorry this is the best picture I have, but T-Rex is already safe and sound with zir new owner.


This wasn't a true DIY unfortunately, since I bought the hoodie beforehand.  All I did was to cut a sheet of felt into teeth shapes, sew them onto the hood, make eyes, and finally sew spikes (also made of white felt) down the back.  If anyone wants me to make a full tutorial, I'll be more than happy to.

Unfortunately it doesn't have a tail, but I would say that the facsimile is close enough, don't you think?

New Header

Hi guys!  Sorry I haven't been posting often, but I'm working on a new header for this blog, which means there is a temporary one right now. It might take a while since my computer is very laggy, but it will be up soon I hope!

But now for a short product review:  Yes to Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss.  I got this gloss in pink after I lost (another) tube of lip balm.  This is 95% organic and goes on smooth, not sticky although your hair does catch on it.  The color, Flirty Pink, does not show up very well on my pigmented lips, but it is nice and moisturizing and pretty shiny.  It does have a mint tingle when you first apply it, but it's not a big issue in the summer.  As for performance, I find all lip glosses/balms wear off in a few hours, and this is the same.  But for about $6 at Target or your local drugstore, it's a good organic alternative to mainstream cosmetic brands.  They have a nice selection of colors, and I would personally recommend this product to others.


This was not a sample from the company, this was privately bought.

4th of July

Since it's a national holiday today, I'll leave you with this:

Stars, Stripes, and Polka Dots by dewfall

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Summer Music: Paramore

I've been listening to Paramore's latest album, Brand New Eyes, for days now, ever since my friend so graciously gifted me a hard copy (a CD!  How shockingly old-fashioned).  Well, first off, I love the cover art.  It has a lovely picture of a butterfly pinned to a wall/sidewalk, and besides the taxidermy factor, is really quite intriguing and appealing.  And (hard copy only, sorry) the booklet inside (which I only discovered a minute ago) is filled with beautiful images relating to the album, with lyrics to the songs written on them.  Plus, the booklet is made of 30% recycled paper!  How could you not like that?\



Now, I know the album is pretty old, but they didn't have any good albums at Fry's, where my friend picked this up from.  But it is still a good album, and has quite a few songs will make great summer jams.

Shoessss

Hi there!  My exams are over for now, but I still have classes throughout the summer that are gonna eat my brain.  So for now, all I have are a few pictures of the shoes I painted:

I think that Blogger hates my images because for some reason, I can't upload the other pictures?  The rest are from Photobucket, which also dislikes me.

 You can't tell from the small pictures, but I've painted (from 2nd picture, top to bottom) the Swan Nebula, the Milky Way, the Crab Supernova, and constellations which include Leo and Cancer.  I got the idea from a friend, who wanted me to paint supernovas!  It took me about 5-7 hours on these?  I also finished them in glossing medium, which makes them shiny and a bit water resistant.

I am also very broke right now, after my tablet broke and I need to buy a new one.  I'm selling shoes with any kind of design you want on them!  Info on my page:  Here!

That's all for today!  Gotta go eat lunch. :)

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 30

Here is the last day's challenge:  something from my favorite store.

This puffy green jacket doesn't look like much, but it's really cozy and perfect for low-key days where you just want to wear something comforting.  I got this from Marshalls after stalking it for a week.  Marshalls is a great store, not necessarily my favorite, but as many of you already know, it's a great place for stalking designer brands at lower costs.  They have everything from Anne Klein and Oscar de la Renta scarves to Missoni knits at their similarly-marketed store, T.J.Maxx.  They are also a good place to scour the new trends for cheap, and they always have affordable basics such as socks and camisoles.  Perfect for any fashionista, or just anyone looking to save a little cash!

We finally made it!  Today is the last day of the challenge, and it is also the last day of consecutive posting.  I have exams and all sorts of stuff to do the next few weeks, so I won't be able to post as much.  It was really interesting to go through my closet this month, and figure out what trends I gravitate towards and dig out some sentimental pieces I had.  I hope you also enjoyed it! 

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 29

My favorite brand.  I don't really have any particular brand loyalty whatsoever, but this cardigan should be familiar to a few of you.  This is the black lace cardigan from the original Rodarte x Target collection.  The pieces from that collection were phenomenal, however, this was the only one I bought.  I don't wear it as often as I feel I should, but when I do, it makes its unique mark!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 28

An outfit that I am ashamed to wear!  Is it no wonder that it's workout gear?  Here it is, in small view, to prevent your eyes from burning:

Basically, an old shirt and a pair of Adidas pants.  Pretty basic right?  Not at all glamorous!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 27

A hat!  Now this little straw number posing on my lamp is my trusty straw fedora.  It's great in the summer for taking walks or just for completing an outfit.  This is probably the only hat I can wear besides a beret or a newsboy hat that I can decently wear?  I picked up this one in TJ Maxx or Marshalls, next to a felt fedora.  I realized later how useful having a decent hat could be.  I should have bought both hats!  Does anyone have any fine millinery crafts to share?

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 26

A mismatched outfit I would NEVER wear.  Now, the pieces separately might be a little out there, but still wearable.  But together they are just over the top!  From top:  fedora, sunglasses, Zac Posen for Target shirt, belt, vintage skirt.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 25

Shoes I love but I don't wear a lot.  These are my hand-painted Converse.  I spent about 2 weeks on these?  You can't see it really well, but these have stars and supernova and galaxies all over them.  I also water-proofed them, but they are kind of my babies.  These were made using acrylic paint and glossy varnish/medium.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 24

My favorite shoes.  Well, fall/spring shoes I guess, since it's too chilly for sandals still, even in May!  On Tuesday, it even started raining!  Which is a big deal here, since we get pretty dry this time of year.  These flats are from Naturalizer, which sounds like a stuffy unfashionable brand, but their shoes aren't bad and they are actually pretty comfortable.  I always have to wear socks though, but I still need to break them in a little.  I love the strap, since it doesn't rub against my foot and it helps keep the shoes on!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 23

A lucky piece of clothing.  This isn't exactly lucky, but I've had this scarf since elementary school.  Either my grandparents or my parents gave this to me, and it's pretty much been a constant, treasured part of my closet every since.  Every time I wear this I feel sophisticated and put together, which is a miracle at six-thirty in the morning!  Do you have any lucky pieces, or clothes that make you feel like you're on the top of the world?

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 22

Something I wear in the summer:

Which is just an ordinary black jacket.  However, I can't wear this is the winter because of the short sleeves, so it has be relegated to my summer clothing section.  It's interestingly detailed in real life, but it photographs pretty bad indoors.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 21

Something I wear around the house...which is

Just this old tee shirt.  Hey, it's big, it's soft, and it's comfortable.  And it tells you to recycle!  How could you resist that? 

What do you wear in the privacy of your home?

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 20

My jewelry box.

Again, pretty messy.  The box is just a small gift a friends gave me a few years back.  I love the dragonfly though!  Larger pieces of jewelry hang on my wall and in the drawer, which you can sort of see below the box in this photo.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 19

All of my jewelry!  Ready?  This is going to be messy:

Ahhhh!  As you can see, I was pretty rushed when taking this picture, and everything inside is all jumbled up.  I need to organize it soon!  There are a few pieces from Halloween, a necklace from vacation, a dogtag, and other bits and pieces inside.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 18

Jewelry I made:

I made this watch necklace a few years ago, and it's still one of my adored pieces.  I had the chain already, and when the watch face arrived, I simply strung them together.  Voila!  It's my current substitute for a pocket watch.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 17

Clothing I altered:

This shirt may seem simple enough, but what really adds pizazz is that frog clasp on the neck of the shirt.  To me, that's the most unique part about it!  You'll never find anything like this(at least, that I didn't make!).

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 16

Matching clothes!  Unfortunately(or fortunately) this hasn't happened before, so here's a substitute:

 Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Skinny Cargo Pant - Quartz Grey

I'm sure lots of people have skinny cargos, if not that pair (From Target, incidentally). 

Have you or anyone else worn matching clothes before?  Any embarrassing or hilarious stories?

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 15

Newest purchase:

Is this simple striped tank top!  I had to alter the strap length, and it is still a bit low, but I love the light stripes and the ruffle detail!  Unfortunately, it is raining tomorrow, so I'll have to wear it sometime this summer.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 14

Cute socks!

Sorry that the lighting and shadows make the bottom of the socks appear grimy, but aren't these the cutest socks you've ever seen?  These are a gift, but I would probably buy these myself, too.  There is an adorable little puppy flying on a broomstick on these!  How could I not?  I find a pair of cute socks are an unusual, but cheery, way to brighten up an outfit.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 13

An outfit I want.

Can I look like this all summer?

Part of ShopRuche's  spring/summer lookbook.

Everything is perfect:  the wedges, the ruffled top, the sweater....dreamy.  In fact, the entire lookbook is a delicate garden party filled with lacy dresses, airy scarves, and beautiful prints.  I recommend you check it out!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 12

A piece of jewelry that everyone compliments you on.

Strangely, for me, it is this labradorite pendant.  This photo does not do it justice, as in real life it flashes a stunning blue gray in different lighting.  I actually wire-wrapped the stone myself, and bought a chain to string it on.  My wire-wrapping skills are amateur, but it stays put!

One of my friends is always fascinated by this necklace, and once commented that she liked it best out of all the necklaces I owned.  I don't know why, but that comment has stuck with me since then.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 11

A piece of jewelry a grandparent gave me.

  My grandparents gave me clothing, not jewelry, as a child.  However, my mother gave me this necklace to take care of, so it's sort of mine?  It was a gift from my grandmother to her, and so it's pretty symbolic now!  It's a pretty amethyst color, but the clasp is rather funky, and it requires a bit of fussing to remove.  However, I really love the style of this necklace.  They don't make them like these anymore!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 10

An outfit I wore on a special day. 

 

This one has also a bit of an unusual story.  My grandparents bought me this dress in elementary school, and I dug it up and wore it to a dance just recently!  It still fits, since when I was little, my grandparents shortened the straps for me.  I guess it's not so bad keeping old clothes some time, as I found a good use for this dress.  You can't really see it in the picture (which was taken indoors with bad lighting), but the dress has almost a cave painting-like pattern on it, with trees and animals and people.  I wore this to a dance a while ago, so that's what I'll always remember about this dress.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 9

A dress/skirt

This skirt has quite a bit of an interesting history.   I found this skirt one day in my mom's closet, and decided to try this on.  It must have been at least 10 years old, judging from the fabric and the pattern.  It seems to made out of some polyester/synthetic material that feels quite unusual.  The pattern is very vintage, but I like it!  It reminds me of that joke with "what is black and white and red all over".

The answer?  My skirt?

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 8

Your most expensive piece of clothing.  Again, I'm cheating, since technically this is jewelry, not clothing.  I usually don't buy expensive clothing, since I know that garments made to last (wool, silk, etc) won't get much use here on the sunny coast, and that lightweight fabrics are more easily harmed.  My mom gave this gold butterfly necklace to me a long time ago, and even I have no idea how much it cost.  It must be pretty expensive though!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 7

A cute outfit.  I'll admit, I didn't have an outfit on hand, so I quickly pulled something together out of the items from the other days of the challenge.  It's quite simple and not that sophisticated, but whose judging?

It'll be perfect for an outing with friends.  Striped top, black cargos, a stack of bracelets, a braided belt, and a silver necklace.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 6

A pair of pants that aren't jeans.

 These are (one) of my black cargo skinnies.  I know, one?  I must have 3 pairs of cargo pants right now.  I would blame the military fad, but I secretly wish it holds on, at least till next winter!  Theses pants are rather thin and stretchy, and are quite short in length, which is perfect for me.  The only problem I have is that they do not have pockets on the back, which annoys me.  I have to be careful what I wear with these!  Another thing that annoys me about black clothing is that no matter how carefully you wash them, they fade and collect lint.  These cargos are already showing a dark gray-blue edge on the hems.

I'm not really a fan of the really skinny jean either, but it seems like the only thing in stores lately.  Bootcut/flares jeans and pants are coming back, but I fear the coming is slow.  Stores, get the message already!  I still want to hold on to my cargo skinnies, though!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 5

A favorite pair of jeans.

These are nothing specially really, pulled off the rack on sale for imperfections.  I don't mind, but I really should have found something in a smaller size, as these jeans are quite stretchy!  I love the fact they have an off-kilter button and an even dark rinse though.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 4

Today is a shirt that I haven't worn yet.  I recently bought this shirt from Aeropostale, after being brought along for a trip to the mall by my friends.  This was, incidentally, the only thing I bought.

From this shirt alone, you may have realized I have a love for stripes!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 3

Today is...a piece of clothing or jewelry that was a gift.  Is it cheating that mine is technically an accessory?  My grandparents brought back this thick, patterned scarf on their trip to visit us a few years ago.  The scarf itself is wonderfully cozy and has a fun woven pattern.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 2

It's day two of the challenge!  Today is:  my favorite shirt.

I bought this at a dinner for charity in a silent auction a few weeks ago.  I've tried to find out more about the brand, Trafaluc, but I haven't any luck!  It's one of those blogger T-shirts that are so popular these days, though I don't know if it's an actual blogger that's featured on the shirt or if the shirt is just "inspired by" those shirts.  The bow on top is a quite amusing addition.  I'm been really liking clothes with 3-D details!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 1

I got this idea from Flying Saucer, who is the writer of a wonderful blog.  I figured that I needed to post more, and what better way than to post a picture, every day?

POST A PICTURE OF….

1. Your closet.
2. Your favorite shirt.
3. A piece of clothing or jewelry that was a gift
4. A shirt that you haven’t worn yet.
5. Your favorite pair of jeans.
6. A pair of pants that aren’t jeans.
7. A cute outfit of yours.
8. Your most expensive article of clothing.
9. A cute dress/ skirt.
10. An outfit you wore on a special day.
11. A piece of jewelry that a Grandparent gave you.
12. A piece of jewelry that everyone compliments you on.
13. An outfit you wish you had.
14. Cute socks.
15. Your newest purchase.
16. You and someone wearing matching clothes.
17. An article of clothing that you made or altered.
18. A piece of jewelry that you made.
19. All your earrings, rings, necklaces and/or bracelets. 
20. Your jewelry box.
21. Something that you only wear around the house.
22. Something you only wear in the summer.
23. An article of clothing/ accessory that you consider lucky.
24. Your favorite pair of shoes.
25. Shoes you love but hardly wear.
26. An mismatched outfit that you’d never wear (go wild: earrings, belts, crazy skirts etc).
27. A hat.
28. An outfit you are ashamed to say you wore.
29. Something that is your favorite brand.
30. Something from your favorite store

Day one:  my closet!

It's really messy right now, with blankets on top, shirts and tops on the left, and pants/shorts on the right.  On the shelves are scarves and the like.  Does any one else have a messy closet?

Bag Musings

I'm not really a bag person.  I've become more of a shoe person I guess, since buying quality flats (like the Cantara from Naturalizer) and not wearing the same things every day (and yes, I do count myself as a style blogger sometimes.  Shocker I know).  But lately, I've found myself gravitating towards buying a bag.  One bag, one bag only.  Because I have backpacks for lugging around binders and little purses suitable for carrying around a total of a wallet and a cell phone and I have messenger bags that I don't know what to do with, but I need an in-between bag.

This prompt realization, of course, led me to hours of searching on Etsy.  I've come to realize that I want (Very specifically) a vintage, leather bag, which should be medium-sized and not white, ivory or cream.

Vintage Etienne Aigner Brown Plum Shoulder Bag with Metal Logo

 Why vintage?  Well, modern bags tend to be more expensive but made with cheaper materials (canvas, pleather, polyester).  Also, most modern styles are too ostentatious for my liking.  A more personal reason for me is also that I don't like buying leather, though it is usually better quality and more biodegradable than it's pleather counterparts.  Vintage solves that problem for me, as I know that it's less wasteful than buying new (except for shipping).

Back on the subject of bags, I sort of want to lug around all my folders in there, too.  Which leads me to this: REDUCED Vintage Leather Handled Satchel - Briefcase OxBlood Color

Though it'll be less practical, I suppose, since toting around a large briefcase is mildly suspicious at best for anyone not wearing a three piece suit(when will they come back in style?  Don't hold your breath).  But I blame my real love of satchels and school bags (backpacks are so boring) on the one and only, Proenza Schouler PS1:

Believe me, if I had an extra $2000 to spare (plus tax), my qualms about modern handbags would go out the window.  I can't even explain why I like it so much.  My adulation can be, at best, described as a combination of why-is-this-so-beautiful and holy-cows-who-has-two-thousand-to-spare.  But to whomever has change to spare and is feeling quite generous, I'm here on this blog! I would appreciate that bag!  *hint hint*

What do you think, fellow bag connoisseurs of the world? And is anyone related to a millionaire?


Image from net-a-porter.com

Spring is Here!( And an update)

For once, it's starting to feel like Spring here on the West Coast.  It's sunny outside and everything is turning green.  A few weeks ago, while testing out our new camera, I snapped a couple of pictures of these buds...

 

 

And not of nature, but of henna:

I've always wondered what getting henna would feel like.  Recently, at a school's diversity day, I got the chance to try it out.  When the henna is first applied, it is cool and in a paste-like consistency.  It smells kind of medicinal and herbal at first, but I gradually got used to it.  Over a period of a few hours to a day, it dries into a dark crust.  After the first hour, it felt itchy, but after leaving it on for a night, I barely noticed it.  I washed it off the next morning, and it left a medium red-brown stain left, which darkened over the next few days.  It lasted about 7 days for me, and started fading around the 4th or 5th day.  My artist was quite talented, and drew a lovely paisley leaf design on my hand.  Overall, I thought it was an interesting experience and a beautiful cultural tradition that I got to participate in.

And an update on the Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips:  Well, they didn't quite last for the ten days they claim on the package.  I took it off the 6th night, because I am quite rough on my nails and it was beginning to chip, though it looked good from a distance.  However, I have been typing and painting all week, so someone who doesn't abuse their nails as much might have better results.  Also, I found that if you have leftover strips, even if you duct-tape the container, they will still dry out.  I found the dried out strips to be less flexible and not as adhesive, so I couldn't use them.  That would allow you only 2 manicure with one package of the nail polish strips.  $5 a manicure might be less of a deal for you, however, I found the product unique enough to make it worth it, especially as I can never have a nail polish look excellent for 6 days.

What do you think?  Is it worth the money, or is regular nail polish a better deal?

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips

Whole Foods has a pretty good return policy for cosmetics apparently.  I (well, my mom) ended up returning the nail polish because the changing color just "wasn't working for me" (Guess the British TV reference!).  So yesterday, at Target, I went looking for the perfect coral nail polish.  Unfortunately, the cosmetics aisle was filled!  The nail polish rack was crowded with people.  In all the hullabaloo, I decided it wasn't the best time to ponder different coral polishes.  Besides, I could hardly find a single one!  All I could see were yellows and blues and reds, but not a single coral that wasn't red based.  And then I the new nail polish strips on the top shelf, and decided I might as well try them out.

Application:  The directions are relatively easy to follow.  I have short nails, so I cut each strip into two and rounded the edges.  I found that the directions tell you to file the excess down, however, I would recommend sticking it to the free edge of your nail before you do so, and wait a while, otherwise it will tear.

Sorry for the weird picture, my camera wouldn't focus correctly.

It did take me a while to apply these, but after a day, they are still looking gorgeous, so I can't complain  (and I was watching Doctor Who).  Though I think they would look better on longer nails, they look professional either way.  Tips:

• Wait a while after you apply these before you shower/wash your nails, or it might peel off.  I put a coat of topcoat on, and it held on fine.
• Add a clear topcoat over the patterns for extra wear time.
•  To prevent the unused strips from drying out, I just put them back in the original container and duct-taped it.  Not the most efficient way, but hey.  It (might) work.

 Wear time:  They are supposed to last ten days.  I'll keep you posted!

Color:  The patterns look professional and don't stretch out, which is a plus.  The black areas of the hounds tooth have what look like air bubbles in them, but it could just be a manufacturing error.

Would I buy these again?  Definitely.  There are a lot of different patterns to choose from, like animal print, lace(which I'm leaning towards), and even solid neons.  Even though the price ($9.99, find at your local Target/drugstore) is pretty expensive, if you cut each strip into two, it can give you 3 manicures.  Pretty cool for something you can do at home!



Again:  not sponsored to review this product!
 

No Miss Nail Polish Review

My camera is out of batteries, and apparently we don't have any left!  So you get this review with no pictures, boo.

No Miss Nail Polish is touted as a less toxic nail polish with no toluene or formaldehyde, and says it has UV inhibitors, a glossy finish, and all that good stuff.  The ingredients is short and sweet, with only the few essential ingredients and colorings.  But does it live up to its word?

(Not the exact product, but I couldn't find a single picture!  Image from nomiss.com)

Application:  Almost a one-coater, which is good!  The color I got, Pinellas Peach (Which is really more of a vermilion) was too red for my tastes, so I tried to tone it down with (almost half a bottle of) Essie Limo-Scene.  Well, last time I try frankening with old polish.  Though the application before was great, after it became slightly thick, though still easy to apply.

Color:  Like I said, I tried adding a lighter pink (Essie) to tone down the almost-neon hue a bit.  Even though I added almost half a bottle, it didn't change the color a bit!  However, the polish, once I applied over a not-quite-dry basecoat, became darker.  Not evenly dark, but streaky dark, which is strange because it looks very light and even in the bottle.  It seemed to do this once it touched water, too.

Wear time:  Without a topcoat (which I don't want to add because of the streak issue), about a day before the edges show a bit of wear.  It's better than E.L.F., though, which lasted a day with topcoat until it drove me mad and I replaced it with No Miss.

Overall, I think it's better to use the No Miss base and top coat with this polish.  I don't know if it's the frankening or just the product, but it seemed to become darker sometimes when I applied it.  I like the range of colors, but the cost( about $7, and you can find it at your local Whole Foods) and the fact I can't find reliable swatches for the colors means that I'll only buy these if I'm looking for something more natural and if I don't mind a hit and miss.

What do you think?  It is worth a try?  And if you have any suggestions, I'm still on the lookout for a bright, summery coral nail polish!



If I was sponsored to write this post, I would not be broke.  I am (broke, that is).

No April Fool's Prank?

Hey everyone!  As I'm sure you have noticed, the web was buzzing with April Fool's jokes.  My and my blog, however, stayed quiet.  Well, apart from the lack of a working camera, I refrained from impromptu jokes because they almost never turn out well.  In my opinion, there are few necessary elements to a good prank:

1. Setup.  Plan your prank a few weeks beforehand, rehearse it, prepare whatever you need to do to make sure it goes without a hitch.  Speaking of hitched, one of teachers and another teacher schemed to convince their students they were engaged.  The thing was, though, he wasn't prepared, so the joke had less impact (plus no one believed him).

  2. Tone.  Be serious, make it convincing!  Have all the props, and make sure no one bursts out laughing in the middle of the prank.  Going all out is more convincing than a halfhearted attempt.  Change your blog-header, buy a fake wedding ring.  Also, if you want to trick your friends even further, start preparing your joke the weeks beforehand.  If you want to trick your friends to think that you are getting married, hint at it weeks beforehand, to make it more believable.

   3.  Duration.  Pranks should end on April 1st, but to string out your victims out a little more, end it the day after.  Don't do this with very crucial matters however!  Don't keep up a joke about sensitive matters after April 1.

And if the prank-ees can't figure out that you are joking, tell them.  Take the engagement example:  That teacher's students still think she's getting married!

March is Women's History Month

Okay, I'll admit, I just found out approximately 5 seconds ago that March is officially Women's History Month.  But hey!  At least I found out while it is still March.

Women's history, to be honest, is something that is not usually thought of in the battle of civil rights.  Martin Luther King is famous for his activism in racial equality, but Susan B. Anthony and many other inspiring women often go overlooked.  But women's rights are important.  About 50% of all humans are female, but yet so many misogynist comments are made daily about a woman's intelligence, looks, or sexuality.  The same are not said about men, or if they are, are not found to be degrading.  If you discriminate against someone because of their race, it becomes offensive and "taboo".  So why is this not the same when someone gets discriminated against for their gender?  Nobody can control what race they are, just like how people cannot control which gender they were born as.

Yes, women and men are biologically different (obviously), but both are humans, and they both deserve respect and rights that everyone is entitled to have, and the right to not be confined by gender stereotypes and double-standards.  Qualities, whether they be bravery and strength or calmness and sympathy should not be "divided" to either men or women specifically.

Everyone, no matter if you are a man or woman, should deserve equal respect.  But think about much women are discriminated today, and of the harassment they have to face daily.  Is this fair?  What can you do to change it?  And finally, remind everyone the importance of women's history and the women's rights movement.

Have a wonderful Women's History Month!

RIP Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor, beautiful actress and movie star, died yesterday at the age of 79.

  To say the truth, all I knew of her before my art and retro movie fanatic teacher was that she was in the advertisement for the perfume White Diamonds.  And then we watched a clip from Cat on a Tin Roof.

I'll admit, I was entranced.  She was truly a gorgeous movie star, as well as an AIDS activist in her later and life and good friends with Michael Jackson.  But her acting was what won me over.

When I got home, the first thing I did was to watch the full movie.  Her expressions, that careful, hesitant behavior in the first scene with Paul Newman-all were incredibly realistic and tense.  Even her Southern accent was spot on in terms of local color:  it added to the setting of the movie, but not too unrecognizable.  Actually, the acting throughout the whole movie is pretty spectacular.  The tense scenes, emotional breakdowns, and fits of yelling were all extremely real and emotional. 

In terms of story, I think the way the director pieced together the broken bits of their family was interesting.  You get Brick (Paul Newman), alcoholic, melancholy and apparently violent and not in love with his wife.  Maggie the Cat (played by Elizabeth Taylor), the suffering wife of Brick who is strong and constantly endures her hardships.  Big Daddy, the strong, powerful tycoon who favors his younger son Brick but has a strong temper.  Big Mama, Big Daddy's wife, who almost parallels Maggie: she too loves a husband who has fallen out of love or has forgotten how to love again.  The characters and their individual conflicts are revealed piece by piece throughout the movie, soon tying together to tell an intricate story of a family's complicated relations.  In the end, though, (SPOILERS! Non-explicit) what got me was the realistic portrayal of the news of death in a household.  To see the transience of life, and the love that makes life worthwhile, touched my philosophical side (okay, it made me emotional too).  The characters realize that death has to come, just the way that Elizabeth Taylor once said in an interview that she doesn't fear death.  May her legacy live on.


Interview here: http://blog.movies.yahoo.com/blog/977-elizabeth-taylor-1932-2011


Images from yahoo.com, www.pennsylvaniatrustsandestates.com

Fall 2011: 3.1 Phillip Lim

I think I may always be a person who loves eccentric fashion.  However, the sky-scraping carved heels at Alexander McQueen and the opulent luxury of Chanel are too extravagant for "real life", which is why the casual minimalism at Phillip Lim appeals to me with it's simplicity.  Texture, draping and basic colors are the main focus of the collection, yet it doesn't suffer from being boring or monotonous.  One of the clever details that caught my eye was the tying of the scarves and sweaters.  This unusual detail is simple but makes but the clothing have a messily put together vibe, without being sloppy.  And the textures.  Tweeds, satins, cardigans, leather- gorgeous!  It adds a richness to the collection that you can almost feel (literally).

As a whole, I would say this collection is very refined and elegant-with a twist on minimalism and of course, modern.  I didn't totally go awaroq9qfg on it, but there a lot of elements I liked.  Can you look at that scarf, in the second look?  I want a scarf like that, to tie in a bow and attach to my ridiculously long, unbuttoned tweed vest.  Yep.  With the green pants too!