Thursday, March 31, 2011

heat wave

Spring has finally sprung and that only means one thing...looking forward to fresh spring lip trends to carry us through the season! I've recently been obsessed with "heat wave" by Nars. I looked high and low for an orange-coral shade and when I finally fell upon it at Sephora they were sold out! That's when I knew I had to have it. When I finally got my hands on it I realized...dare I say it? It's the perfect orange lipstick!!! The key is to keep the rest of your makeup natural and finish it off with a lip liner underneath  your lipstick, which is a great primer and gives and ultra sophisticated look. It will help the color stay  on longer and it glides on smoothly for a precise line. Beware, heat wave is a matte finish so hydrate that pout before you apply or for a glossy look finish with a clear lip gloss to give it high-shine. So change your plain looking pout this season to something vibrant and refreshing.



Tuesday, March 29, 2011

in luv with aj

A former who what wear intern, recent graduate from Otis College of Design, avid blogger, and upcoming jewelry designer is all the hype in the accessories sector. Amanda Thomas started designing jewelry at the age of 15, and now at age 22 has her own business "Luv AJ" designing and selling one-of-a-kind jewelry. Her aesthetic is rocker edge meets feminine simplicity with hand wrapped eye-catching stones, vintage chains and unique metalwork. Her side hobby turned into a full time business when Thomas walked into Fred Segal wearing her own designs, and was approached by one of the buyer's. Her passion soon turned into her dream job with her pieces displayed in multiple boutiques. It wasn't until celebrities like Rachel Bilson and Scarlet Johansson were adorned in Luv AJ jewelry that Amanda realized her worth. This spring chicken has graced the magazine of Elle, been featured in WWW, Daily Candy, and Refinery 29. I am obsessing over her chainmaille bib & fringe necklace!!! You can purchase her edgy designs on shopbop.com or directly off her site luvaj.com. Don't be discouraged by the celebrity buzz around her jewels, affordability is Thomas's selling point. With the success of Amanda's work it just goes to show that anything pursued with passion, skill and creative edge can become an over-night success.


{images: luvaj.com}

Saturday, March 26, 2011

nautical moments







puffer vest: jcrew, top: jcrew outlet, jeans: old navy, handbag: lanvin, sunglasses: blinde, rain boots: hunter, lipstick: mac impassioned, jewelry: BR & BRFS (Banana Republic Factory Stores)

Friday, March 25, 2011

pvb

suffering from post vacation blues...


hope your weekends better than mine. x

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

welcome to miami

Apologies for being MIA, but I was frolicking in the Miami heat for the past few days to get away from the downright depressing weather in SF. My trip was planned to see my sister-in-law visiting from London, however my week in Miami was so eventful that it made for some great reading material for my deshabille followers!

Miami has such an international vibe that once you step off the plane you know you're not in Kansas anymore. The fashion in Miami is two-fold. You have the spring breakers who are clearly vacationing with a few intentions in mind...drinking and mating, which is apparent when you see their hiked up skirts, stripper heels and revealing tops. I didn't travel across the country to watch them in action. Fashion was the preoccupation uppermost in my mind as I embarked on this trip. More specifically it was the European fashion that enticed me. European vacationers are a little more arresting than the most - classy, decadent, unfathomably glamorous and exude a type of sexy sophistication. I was lusting over a woman walking out of Delano in a beautifully draped maxi skirt, paired with a simple elegant tank and bangles layered up to her forearm.  Another shopping the streets of Washington Ave. in pleated soft shorts accessorized with gladiators that tied up all the way to her calf. She wore simple hair and make-up but what caught my eye was her electric orange lips and her oversized Carrera shades. My favorite look by far was worn by an Italian gay man I met at The Raleigh Hotel, simple but oh so fresh in his black speedo's, ray-bans and pure white towel he used as an accessory.

Besides the fashion, what keeps me coming back for more are the over-the-top hotels that make you feel like you're a billionaire. The $17 dollar drinks took a major hit to my wallet, but my rational sense is no longer valid when I'm in the moment. Delano is probably my favorite of the bunch. The inviting spa like smell, the majestic white walls, the floor length curtains dancing with the wind, the mile long pool, oversized chess board and distant electronic melody that flows through the garden. I am in my element every time I walk through the double doors of what I like to call sinful heaven.

Our five-course Cuban meal, $300 dollar bottle of Moet Chandon Imperial Ice at Nikki beach and $17 drinks at Delano made me realize why they call Miami a celebrities playground. The hotels, the food and the shopping are painfully pricey, but that never stops me from wanting more. Miami is the type of city that will take you on a compelling journey of acrylic afternoons and nocturnal nights. So when the streets are roaring with the sounds of supernaturally spectacular machinery, the bay is full of $30 million dollar yachts docked outside of waterfront homes that are nothing short of unreal, and the average bust size for a woman is Double D you'll know you've arrived in Miami.






 


 

 


"The first duty in life is to be as artificial as possible. What the second duty is no one has yet discovered." - Mr Oscar Wilde

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

who's your mentor?

My co-worker asked me yesterday who my professional mentor is. Mentor? What mentor? I have a non-official mentor at work that have been assigned to me, only because Gap prides itself on career development, but a professional mentor outside of work never struck me as being necessary or beneficial. After a bit of blog searching last night I came across some incredible woman who have started their own business, worked for some prestigious fashion houses, edited for top fashion magazines and I started to think...what if one of these women were my mentor? Can you imagine the amount of knowledge, networking and exposure I could gain? Why hadn't I thought of this before? While I've been soul searching and trying to understand what I want to do with my life next it never stuck me that getting assistance to understand my options was needed. After working at Gap for 5+ years I somehow managed to forget what it meant to network outside of work. I got sucked into the Gap Institute, under the impression that I had it all. Thanks to my GF & co-worker, Rachel, I started to ponder...I need a mentor stat! Now how do I go about getting one? Could Tom Ford be my mentor, maybe Rachel Zoe, or how about DVF? Ok, so I dream big but as soon as I got my head out of the clouds I received a Refinery 29 newsletter featuring Jane Herman, Gap's Director of Concept. I am sure you know where this is going. So I didn't look as far as I should have but at least I kept it real. I can easily get access to Jane's email. I know where she works, and more importantly she has my dream job! Yes, Jane Herman is going to be my mentor. Now I just need to ask her...

Take a mini tour of her urban escape and fall in love with her glamorous lifestyle. I want her life...  















{images: refinery 29}

Monday, March 14, 2011

color me mine

After a long, cold and very gray winter, after mother nature's unforgiving disasters, and after the same old black winter coat and black boots, I am ready for the type of color that really packs a punch! All the retailers are getting geared up to start designing for spring 2012 and we're all suffering from "designer's block". Zara's new March lookbook released just in time to save us all. I am loving the minimal look with structured details and unpredictable color combinations, mixing bright hues with other equally-bold colors. The latest collection is very reminiscent of Jill Sander's spring collection with tantalizing tangerines, emerald greens, ruby reds, perfect pinks and brilliant blues. Zara makes it look so effortless, but oh so chic. So stash away your heavy winter sweaters and overcoats, and anticipate the warmer days ahead...

























 







Sunday, March 13, 2011

midst of calamity

The 8.9 eathquake in Japan that caused a 20 ft. Tsunami has taken lives, swallowed homes, and left the local public in a midst of calamity. Grocery stores are closed or damaged, restaurant owners have fled, and locals are in dire need food and water. The death toll from the tragedy neared 1,600 on Sunday, with more than 1,900 injured and nearly 1,500 missing. The worst may not be over so please join me in praying for the children and families impacted by this devastating natural disaster in Japan. And send a gift to help them today.


















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