Case Closed

While I like to consider myself a clothing and accessories innovator (or, at the very least, an early adopter) the same can not be said when discussing my relationship with technology. The moral of the story is that I just got the iphone, bye bye blackberry, hello cellphonethatmakesmelookhip. Now, despite the fact that cases look really cool with the iphone, I was informed that they break extremely easily, hence a case is a requirement. Naturally, in the weeks leading up to the phone's purchase, I researched various different cases, and let me tell you, there were a lot of favorites. In the end, this case won. I don't think that I''ll be investing in new cases often, so I wanted to get one that would make me happy for a long time, and this is that case. I like the saying, and I love the design. Its nice to know that in the future, when I am caught in the rain, and everything appears to be going wrong, all I have to do is look at this case, take a deep breath, and smile.

Alexa

A Lace Encounter

Despite the fact that its been rainy and 50 degrees outside for the past two weeks, I am certain that summer weather is out there...somewhere. In anticipation of its arrival, I have been looking for some neutral pieces that I can wear multiple times and ways. I was looking on the Forever21 website and I found a super cute pair of lace shorts which put the idea in my head that I needed to own them, now. This thought eliminated the idea of ordering them online because it really would be impossible for me to wait a week to get them. Anyway, I went to Forever21 and I could not find the shorts, or any other version of lace shorts. I was about to give up when I spotted these Free People shorts in Lord and Taylor, I tried them on and what do you know? They are adorable. I can't wait for the sun to come out so that I can wear them!

Alexa

The Next Big Thing...

...well, maybe!  If you are anything like me, you have a ton of articles of clothing marked 'hand wash' but no idea how to actually hand wash something.  While I have tried slowly pouring detergent on these items, it doesn't seem to be very effective.  The detergent gets all over the place and I end up wasting a ton of it.  I've also tried pouring the detergent into a spray bottle and then misting the item with the cleaner.  Here I run into two problems - either the detergent is too thick and won't exit the bottle.  Or, if it does come out of the bottle, it still gets all over the place.  Anyway, I am proposing that a new effective spray bottle be created.  To read more about my proposal click here:   http://www.quirky.com/ideations/231890 and then be sure to vote for my idea so that it can be brought to life!  Thanks in advance!

Alyssa

You can't make this stuff up!

Makeup, Makeup, Makeup, Makeup. I love makeup, playing with it, applying it, and buying it. So anywho, I went to the mall this past weekend and I got my makeup done by NARS and they made my skin look flawless, like actually flawless. I did what any sane person would do and dropped a stupid amount of money on buying the products, and what do you know? I got home and looked in the mirror and I looked stupid. Enter creativity: after a few failed attempts, I was able to make the products look natural and give me a flawless look, without being too heavy. So what did I use?

1) After I moisturized and applied my face primer by Smashbox, I used the concealer stick in Chantilly. Just blot onto your face and use your finger to smooth, but don't rub in.

2) Letting that sit for a bit, I then used the Sheer Glow Foundation in Siberia (I know, I thought the name was a joke too, turns out, I am that pale). The trick to this step is how you apply it, when I was at the store, they used a makeup sponge, but after trying to use a sponge at home, I found that it was too liquidy and it just bled right through the foam. What I ended up using to apply it was my MAC 190 Foundation brush (I bought it a super long time ago, and it was worth every penny!).

3) To set the foundation I just dusted Bare Minerals and my bronzer over top (with my blush and highlighter) and the finished look was the perfect mix of coverage and lightness.

Alexa 

Holy Citrus!

I’ve spent the winter going back and forth between light blues and the traditional black nail colors. Lately I’ve seen multiple people with brightly colored nails, presumably in anticipation of attaining a tan. While I have no plans to get tan, when it comes to outrageously loud nails, count me in! Anywho I made my way over to the Essie nail polish section while shopping, and I decided to pick the first color that caught my eye, and woooooosh Tangerine came into my possession. Are you as obsessed as I am?

Alexa

Easy No Bake Lemonade Pie

Last night I was in an ambitious and creative mood.  So, what did I decide to do?  Bake!  Well, sort of.  I followed the recipe below for no bake lemonade pie and it could not have been easier:

Ingredients:

• One premade pie crust
• One 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• One 12 ounce container whipped topping
• One 6 fluid-ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate (unthawed or thawed, it doesn't matter)
• 1 teaspoon candied lemon peel or fresh fruit (optional, this is for garnish)

Directions:
In a large bowl combine the sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping. Fold the two together gently until combined.  Be very careful to not over fold - the consistency should be light and fluffy not liquidy.  Next, add the lemonade concentrate and continue to gently fold.  Again, avoid letting the mixture get too liquidy. Pour the filling into the pie crust and place in the freezer to chill overnight.

 

After a minimum of 8  hours, remove the pie and sprinkle with garnish or add fresh fruit on top (optional) and enjoy!

Alyssa

Beachside Dining Outfit

[shirt] Ella Moss
[belt] Nordstrom Brass Plum
[jeans] Urban Outfitters BDG cigarette jeans
[shoes] Target



Several months ago I purchased this one shouldered Ella Moss shirt through Shop it to Me (website previously discussed here) in anticipation of the warm weather.  While I had no idea what I would wear it with or when I wear it, I just knew I had to have it.  Just a few days before my vacation an idea popped into my head, I NEEDED WHITE JEANS.  Of course, I went to my go-to brand, Urban Outfitters BDG cigarette jeans (jean blog post coming soon) and found the perfect pair.  Adding the belt and the durable shoes that could handle the sandy terrain were natural choices.  I simply love how the outfit came together!
 
Alyssa

Baby Lips Part 2

I’m having a moment. Its silly really, I mean its a chap stick moment. I’ve been in lip care/color limbo ever since I ran out of my favorite lipstick: Sephora brand’s most amazing nude and blush color combination, appropriately dubbed “Glamour.” I ran out of this shade about a month ago but I still carry it around because I can't bear to part with it until I find a replacement. Enter Glamour’s replacement... Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss (Surprised? I was too!). While I know that Alyssa is a fan of Baby Lips (as mentioned in this previous post), I had yet to try the product until today. Basically, I was walking past the Maybelline display and I saw the purple colored container and it drew me in. Once I got closer I saw that not only was the shade nude, but it also had a fair amount of shimmer too. I decided to buy it, and after reapplying it multiple times, I have to say its rivaling Glamour!

Alexa

ARUBA!

I’ve been back in the states for a little over 24 hours and already the gloomy NYC weather has me craving my next vacation.  Aruba was perfect.  We had 5 days full of sun and relaxation.  Enjoy the pictures I have posted above!

Alyssa

Bad Day

Today was a bad day. Things were lost and people were mean. At 8 p.m., its time to admit defeat, and what better way to do so, than to crawl into bed with Isabel Toledo’s book: Roots of Fashion. Nothing makes me happier than reading about one of my favorite designer’s and I just know that this bedtime reading will soothe me to sleep with the images of delicate, funky, and true fashion items.

One more thought before admitting to the defeat of my bed. Whenever I’m sad and have a bad day, there is only one quote that seems to put everything into perspective. Please enjoy some wise words from Carrie Bradshaw

“Maybe the best any of us can do is not quit, play the hand we've been given and accessorize the outfit we've got”

xoxo
Alexa

An Old Friend

While I love to talk about my latest fashion finds, sometimes nothing can beat an old favorite. My birthday is a few days after my best friend’s, and we exchange gifts which are almost always surprises. I love the fact that we make these gifts suspires because it really shows how much we know about each other. One year my best friend bought me the Marc by Marc Jacobs Ms Marc earrings, and I honestly do not think that I could have picked anything better. I had always looked at the Ms Marc design and admired it from a far, thinking that I could never pull it off. I don’t know what happened, but once she gave me these earrings, I became obsessed with Ms Marc, and the best part? My pair has a tiny crown on the side, princess of fashion, princess of accessories, or just princess Alexa, no matter what kind of day I’m having, they are always the best part of my outfit.

Alexa

Bloggers who love to shop

In addition to blogging and reading other blogs (as discussed by Alexa here) we also enjoy shopping.  What kind of bloggers would we be if we didn’t?  There is nothing like being physically present in a store and smelling new leather, running your hands over a suede coat and hearing the ‘cha ching’ of a purchase being made.  But sometimes shopping in a store just isn’t practical.  There are so many amazing websites that introduce you to new designers and highlight different sales that it would be foolish to not use them.  Plus, they are a nice mid-day distraction from both work and school.  Some of our favorite online shopping sites include the following:

The Outnet - an online fashion outlet that houses clothing, shoes, bags and accessories.  Plus, they have a 'dress me' section of the site that provides outfit ideas.

Gilt - one stop shopping for discounted designer clothing, home goods, vacations and meals.  Membership is required.

Shop it to Me - This website is amazing because it is just like having a personal shopper.  After inputting your sizes and preferences, you will receive e-mails at intervals you select that summarizes the items you may be interested in that are discounted.  [my personal favorite site for shopping!]

Shopbop - Unlike the 3 websites listed above, Shopbop is not a discount site.  However it does round up tons of amazing jeans, swimsuits, dresses, boots etc. and makes it easy to view current trends.

Alyssa

To follow the trend or not to follow the trend

[shirt] J. crew
[jeans] Urban Outfitters BDG cigarette jeans
[shoes] Steve Madden leopard print flats

The colorful jean trend is in full force and I could not hate it more! I don’t want to say that I will never jump on this trend, but for right now I have no interest in it. Something about it just bothers me - maybe it is the fact that you can’t walk down the street without seeing multiple people wearing coral jeans with a white button down and nude pumps or the fact that the mass produced jeans seem to be compromising the quality. Whatever the reason, it is just not doing it for me. I am however interested in livening up your standard blue jeans by introducing a more vibrant hue. I am pictured above wearing a different take on the colorful jean trend.

More to come on my current favorite brand of jeans (Urban Outfitters BDG) in a later post!

Alyssa