Do's & Dont's of Business Wear

Do's & Dont's of Business Wear

 1. Marc Jacobs was once quoted as saying -

"Unless your job involves sitting at a lifeguard station, this is a no."

This doesn't necessarily mean you  have to wear heels every day, but with the wide variety of shoe choices these days like booties and flats, keep the flip flops for the beach or the pool.

Great for the Club..but the Office?

2. DON'T show too much skin. When in doubt, don't go without. Dressing like you're going to the club is never office appropriate. 

Having to Adjust Constantly Is NOT flattering..or fun!

3. Don't wear a brand new ensemble to work, Make sure you're confident in it and that you're not constantly having to adjust. Which comes to my next don't...

4. DON'T show bra straps. If It even comes close, go strapless. Or, if you're good at sewing, or have a few extra dollars.. Nicole Miller suggests you have a tailor add snaps under your straps to keep your bra in place. 

5. DON'T wear a hat unless it's part of your uniform. 

5. Do add personality with a bright bag or accessories, but ...

6. Don't go overboard with loud pieces. The idea is to add a bit of you to the outfit, but you definitely don't want to distract anybody. Dainty, delicate jewelry looks best on smaller girls, and bigger boned women look better with jewelry on the chunkier side.

7. Do invest in a nice blazer. They are timeless, and tailored to your size, a blazer flatters any shape well. And don't be afraid of patterns! Just keep the blouse simple, like a crisp white dress top.

fellt.com

8. Do wear a watch if you'd like. But stay away from digital, if you wear one - keep it analog.

JUICY COUTURE

9. NEVER expose midriff. Period.

10. Tube tops are a no-no for the office!!

Cute Outfit!!! But.... not for the Office!

http://howdo-i-wearthis.com/tag/platform/

 

11. Do keep your makeup fairly natural at the office. Keep the sparkly stuff for the weekend.

Natural Flatters, but Doesn't Overpower For Work

Birchbox Review - October 2012

Birchbox is a subscription service that delivers luxe beauty samples to you each month. For 10$ a month, you get sample sizes of everything from perfumes, organic teas, hair and makeup products, etc., customized to fit your taste. It also comes with online tutorials for makeup and hair, insider tips, and major discounts of full size products. This subscription is a GREAT way to try out the latest trends and products, without forking over a lot of cash to see if you like it. It introduces you to great brands and products that you might have otherwise missed. To join, simply go to https://www.birchbox.com/join.

For each month, I will list the products that came with my Birchbox, plus a review of each. If you also get a subscription, and would like to submit your review for the blog, please contact us directly :) Enjoy!!

Product 1: Harvey Price | Eau Flirt

www.harveyprince.com/

 I really enjoy the scent of this. It was extremely flirty, and with a little citrus and pumpkin - this is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Just a little went a long way, and lasted through my work day and still lingered by evening. I'd highly reccomend this product for anyone who wants to make a statement.

-A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future. Coco Chanel

 

 

 

Product 2: LIQWd | SiLK Professional Deep Conditioning Treatment

 

This stuff is a miracle in a bottle! As a model, I'm constantly styling, ironing, blow drying - simply put, I'm constantly damaging my strands. This results in a major lack of moisture. Using this product left my hair silky, smooth, and feeling healthier than it has in ages! I almost couldn't believe it was even my hair! This product also claims to boost volume. On that note, my fine hair didn't feel much more volumized - so I'd leave that job to another product. But if you're looking for smooth, tangle-free, hydrated (and not to mention yummy smelling) hair - this product is definitely the way to go.

The hair is the richest ornament of women.  ~Martin Luther

 

Product 3: LIQWd | The Perfect Wave

 

  



To be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of this product. I have stick straight hair, and it takes a little work to get any kind of wave to hold. The smell was nice, and the product was very light-weight, but after using it according to the directions, it just didn't make the beachy waves without the crunch it claimed to. I have a feeling this would have worked better if i had a natural wave or curl to my hair already. But for my pin-straight hair, this product was a no-go.

Product 4: Mox Botanicals | Pomegranate & Fig Lip Butter

Smooth Texture.

Yummy Smell.

Ecologically Friendly.

Honestly, the packaging and ecologically friendly elements are what you seem to pay for. It worked pretty decent, but you could find products with similar effects at your local drugstore for much cheaper. 

 

Product 5: theBalm Cosmetics | Mary-Lou Manizer

The packaging is super cute!! 

This all-in-one highlighter, shadow, and shimmer does it's job well! This product is a great way to change up your every day look, from dabbing a small bit on your brow bones, to using it as a blush, to emphasizing your lips by using a little over your cupids bow. Use sparingly, a little bit of this stuff goes a long way. Too much WILL make you look ridiculous. 

Mighty Leaf Tea | Assorted Teas

 Green Tea Tropical

 Organic Earl Gray

Organic African Nectar

The fruit really stood out in the African Nectar and Green Tea Tropical. I really enjoyed the flavors and would highly recommend them!My favorite of the three was the Green Tea Tropical, which was just the right amount of fruity for me <3

What REALLY Makes a Woman Sexy

What REALLY Makes a Woman Sexy

Mila Kunis was recently named 2012 Sexiest Woman Alive by Esquire Magazine. She follows in the footsteps of 8 other "Sexiest Woman" such as Rhianna, Minka Kelly and Angelina Jolie.

Esquire Magazine

So what sets Miss Kunis apart from other sexy women? It's less about the looks, and more about the personality. Derek, from Massachusetts says it from a man's point of view best: "Her sense of humor and personality are what puts her above the rest. There are a lot of beautiful women out there, but a good sense of humor and down to earth personality are just as important."

And he's right! Occasionally, you get an answer that is strictly based on looks, but it's more about personality.

So what really makes a woman sexy? Asking around I got answers like, "Confident, but not conceited", "Takes her work serious, but has fun", "Walks with her head held high, but doesn't look down on others", and "Just a great personality, that brings the best out in others" According to almost every man I have asked, it's her attitude that is most attractive.

Additionally, I have found that it doesn't matter how beautiful you are on the outside, if you are ugly on the inside it will shine through. Being hot goes a lot further with a personality to back it up.

Clearly, looks aren't everything  they're cracked up to be. Mila proves that being yourself and enjoying it, is far more important, (yes, even to men), than looking perfect all the time.

Trendy Nails On Any Budget

Deep Blue

 

Camo / Deep Green

Oxblood

Nude

Shoe Trends- Fall 2012

Thigh/Knee- High Boots

All Available for purchase at Nordstrom.com

From Versace in Milan, to Rachel Zoe in New York, Thigh and Knee High Boots were all over the runways for Fall 2012. I prefer to style these over skinny jeans, with a ladylike silhouette to add some sixties flair (which is in for Fall as well), or for pairing with oversized cashmere. 

 

Low & Kitten Heels

 

 

At least our feet can take a break too this fall! Low and Kitten Heels are all the rage this season, says Manolo Blahnik, Yves Saint Laurent, Topshop, and more. The heels themselves varied from chunky to pointy,  with peep-toed, rounded, or pointy toes. I love to pair this trend with cropped trousers or below-the-knee skirts for a chic look. <3

Studded Shoes

 

If you like a little edge, this season’s popular studded shoes are where you need to look! These embellishments can be found on everything from sky-high pumps to reserved flats. Whether you want a pair of shoes with just a hint of metal or something completely covered in studs, you’re bound to find the prefect match with this trend. <3 

 

Glitter!

From subtle styles to ultra-shimmery versions, these trendy flats, heels and boots are sure to add some sparkle to your wardrobe.<3

Easy but Awesome Fall 2012 Makeup Trends

Cherry Red Lips

Left- Rochas (Imaxtree) Right- Sammi Putnam for Don Bothem Photography

This statement lip has proved that trends CAN be repetitive. The same trend that ruled the 'hot' list of Fall 2011 is BACK and better than ever. Whether you choose a matte color like Rochas on the left, or a more glossy version like Ms. Putnam on the right,  red lips are here to prove they are the best at making a statement!

Imaxtree

Thick, Defined Brows

I love the natural feel of this look by J. Mendel. The brows look thick, strong and healthy, not over-plucked and drawn on. This is the simplest trend.. just stop tweezing too much! Only in between the eyes and any hairs that grow outside your brow line. Using a magnifying mirror only makes you go tweeze-crazy, so use a regular mirror instead. If you need a boost, use a brow pencil, but don't over do it!

Fresh, Natural Faces

Valentino (Imaxtree)- Trina H for Badkins

 Usually, this trend pops up
spring, when everything is supposed to be light and fresh. But this year, is makes a surprising apperance on several different Fall runways. Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, and Valentino were a few big names hosting this trend on their models. Nude tones, nothing overdone, and a little pop of blush & you're all set to rock this!

Smoky Browns

Trina H. for Badkins

Blumarine- Imaxtree

I adore this color for its versatility. It can be worn on pretty much any skin tone, and can be layered lightly for a small glimmer (see left), or heavily for a more intense look (see Blumarine right).

The Beauty of Being Imperfect

The Beauty of Being Imperfect

 

Picture a world where every single person was the same. Everyone looks the same, lives in identical houses, drives the same cars and makes the same amount of money. 

A world like the one above might, at the surface, seem one of less prejudice and equality. But, after the initial feeling of peace wore off, you would be in a world where there was no more beauty in people. Life would be boring, people would be boring.

What makes an individual beautiful is what makes them unique.

Their talents, their traits and characteristics. All the little things that make you..YOU. If we didn't have those things, then what would we have?

Every.Single.One of us has unique characteristics, some strengths-some weaknesses. I might be a great dancer and a horrible singer. You might be a horrible dancer, but have the voice of an angel!

Just because someone might be better than you at something, doesn't mean their better than you in general. It just means they have strength in that area, and weakness somewhere else.

Instead of putting so much pressure on trying to fit in to today's stereotypes pressed out by the magazines, newspapers, television and other medias, embrace who you are, your differences, and apply them to something positive!

When you accept and share your unique traits, people will see just how strong and confident you are about who you are, and will, in turn, see your uniqueness as a positive thing as well!

My Biggest Fashion Do’s & Don'ts

My Biggest Fashion Do’s & Don'ts

By Christina Adkins

I'll admit it... Growing up, I wasn't exactly friends with fashion. I was somewhat of a sheltered child, and only learned the basics like shaving and tweezing from my mom. Since I wore uniforms to school, it wasn't until the year of 8th grade when I transferred from private to public school, that I came to realize that clothes weren't just to cover your body. By the time I had this revelation, I felt like I had a lot of catching up to do, and went overboard for awhile. Now I enjoy fashion and trends, and as some of you might know, even model now because of that fashion. Here's a few fashion do's and don’ts I've learned along the way.

DON'T: Spend Tons of Money on Trends

When I was first getting into fashion, I was so worried about the label itself. I thought that in order to be the best styled, I had to have the best, most expensive, well known labels. Boy was I wrong about the assumption. Since trends come and go so quickly, you might wear the purchase a handful of times before it's out of season.  I know women on the lowest budget that have the best style! Even celebrities mix and match designer labels with more affordable pieces from Top Shop, Anthropologie,

and more. Who the heck is walking around going "I like that shirt!”? Turn around and let me see what brand the tag says!"? It's about looking fabulous, and weather you do that with 5 dollars or 500 dollars doesn't really matter. You'd be surprised what treasures you can find at thrift stores or consignment shops!

Do: Splurge on Timeless Items

 If you do feel like splurging, invest in items that are timeless, like a killer pair of jeans, a great bra, the perfect black belt, or a LBD (Little Black Dress). You will feel much more satisfied if you invest in things that you can use for more than just a short period of time. I also suggest splurging on items that have a more neutural color scheme or pattern. If you buy a piece that you can't mix and match, you're choices of how you wear it are more limited. Anything that is versatile will get a lot more use.

DON'T: Dress Head-to-Toe in the Latest Trends

I went gun-ho on trying to keep up with the latest styles and trends once I discovered them. But, at the time I saw it as, in order to really be trendy, you had to dress head to toe in the latest fashions, even down to the exact color schemes for hair, nails, and make-up I saw in magazines.

That didn't work out to well for me, and anyone who has done the same thing will agree. Sometimes, trends don't exactly work for your skin tone, bone structure, or size. For instance, pant-suits are really hot on the runways for fall,  but I'm 5"2' and very petite so it's hard for me to pull that off without looking, (and feeling) like one of the seven dwarfs instead of the fabulous Snow White.

DO: Embrace Who You Are and Enjoy Who That Is

Once you find what works for who you are, both inside AND out- trying new trends, beauty routines, and even new things in life becomes less intimidating and so much fun. If a trend doesn't work for you like sometimes it doesn't for me, skip it or make it work! Pantsuits might be in, but with my dwarf-ism, I wear just the blazer and throw it over a feminine shirt and add some shinnies, booties with heels, and a clutch for a killer date-night outfit. (See look from Balmain, to Left)

  

The key is not to be dressed head to toe in this minute's latest fashion dos, but to find what makes you feel confident, what looks good on YOU, and make it yours! Whatever you wear, own it. If you don't feel confident in something, you won't look confident either. But when you feel good about what you're wearing, it makes everyone else see a confident woman as well. Outfits aren't just about the outfits; it’s about you as a person as well. Look at Katy Perry or Lady Gaga's crazy get-ups, or Marc Jacobs’s man-skirts or whatever they are. 

Because they own what they're wearing, they exude a confidence that clothes alone cannot. Take a tip from the stars, being beautiful is not about being perfect head to toe, inside and out. It's about loving, being proud, and embracing who you are. Because once you do that, the people around you will too. <3