Sunday, September 30, 2012

Lovefool for a Cardigan

Cardigans.
Lets talk about cardigans for a moment. I love them, but I do not understand why so many people attribute a cardigan to old people. I have a few co workers/ friends that always make odd ball comments about cardigans. I always get the old lady jokes, the librarian jokes(especially when I wear my glasses) in fact today I was told that I looked like I was dressed by an old blind lady. Lol I guess they just don't understand what a good cardigan does for a wardrobe! 

I love them. They are not too thick that you cant wear them in the summer time and they cover my arms from freezing in the a/c-d office at work. I'm always cold. I guess I don't have a problem with them because I used to wear them at school growing up so they've always been a staple in my wardrobe. 

I don't have weird patterned ones, they are all solid colors and very versatile  I love pairing a good cardi with a dress or skirt and a chic little belt 
like here 


with a t-shirt shirt and pants like this 

or even just the cardigan itself belted wear it as a shirt like this



 I've even seen a tutorial to add a cute little bow to sewn onto the collar of the cardi. 

So Ill continue to take the grief and wear my comfy cardi and be happy. Im a nerd and I dress like one most of the time! 

What are some ways you wear a cardigan and do you get old lady comments about it?

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Closet Revamping 101: Part 2

Part 2: Assessing.
 In case those of you are new to my blog, I've been on a mission to revamp my closet into a "working closet." I've been inspired by Kendi of  kendieveryday. She has a guide on how to create a working closet and so I've dived right into my closet and I'm following her rules to the 't.' Last week I talked about purging my closet. That for me was very very easy. If your are interested in part 1, please click on the tab that says closet revamping and you can read it there. 

Ok enough of the tangents  Lets get down to brass tacks here. So the next step on Kendi's list is 'assessing'. Well what does that mean? She says you are to assess your closets needs. That's right your closet, not you. In order to have a fully working closet, you need to stock your closet full of items to help you achieve your goal. To do that you need to take inventory of everything your closet holds, whether its actually writing it down or making a metal list in your head.

This is an idea what my list of a few items in my closet looks like.
Black pencil skirt
Grey pencil skirt
Navy pencil skirt
white blouse
pink blouse
black trousers
grey trousers
mustard cardigan
grey cardigan
skinny jeans
t-shirt
camis
jeans
etc

Basically you go through your closet and make sure you have the staple pieces in a wardrobe, for example, basic black skirt, a blouse, trousers, flats, a sweater and a belt. If you have all of these items great, if you don't then write down the items you need and carry it with you in your purse, so that the next time you go shopping you can pull it out and add it to your closet. The goal is to create a closet that works, that you can walk into and pull out any of the items in it and create an outfit without much thinking about it.

I've pared my wardrobe down to the basics. I have a few pairs of jeans, a few t-shirts, quite a bit of skirts, some dresses and sweaters. I had gotten rid of the excess. Now that I've assessed my closet, I'm able to easily pick out items and create different outfits and different combos that I've never thought of before. 

Now after you've gotten the list of what your closet needs, you write a list of what YOU want. For example, I didn't need a plaid wool shirt, but I wanted one, and knew that I would wear it to work, to hang out in the house with or go out and hang with friends. I can wear it with a pencil skirt, boots and some knee high socks and have a cute outfit for work. Or I can pair it with my skinny jeans and rain boots and a slouchy hat for a more casual look. I can also put on regular jeans and my ariats, ball cap, aviators, and a puffy vest and have a great winter time running errands look. For a girls night out, throw on a pair of heels, the plaid shirt and a blazer and voila a cute trendy outfit. 

You've got to know how every piece in your closet works together. Play dress up, learn, experiment, get to know your closet. You can have a lot of fun with your clothes once you get rid of the excess and build a solid foundation to your closet. The key is that with every piece in your closet, you should be able to make at least 5 different outfits out of it. 

Good luck! 

Friday, September 28, 2012

Lets make a statement

Ive been on a large statement necklace kick this last week and decided to share with you all, a simple alternative to the expensive ones you find in most stores. These are all from  Forever 21 and cost no more than $15.00.

Lets make a statement

Lets make a statement by rachelkdavis featuring a layered necklace

From left to right, top to bottom.
1. Forever 21 Opaque teardrop necklace $15.00
2. Faux Marble Nugget necklace $9.80
3. Rhinestone Link Bib necklace $14.80
4. Colored Bead necklace $6.80
5. Lace Rosette Necklace $10.80
6. Teardrop Bib necklace $12.80
7. Layered Pearlescent necklace $8.80
8. Colored Rhinestone Chain necklace. $8.80

I actually bought the teardrop necklace in a pretty green and gold combo, and remember when wearing a statement piece to keep the rest of your accessories to a minimum and really let your statement piece shine!!


"Saturday fall workwear"

Thursday, September 27, 2012

"Things of Beauty"

Thursdays Things of Beauty.

A bucket full of grapes. The scent of these beauties filled the kitchen, they tasted just as wonderful as they look!

A blue wall with empty white frames and mirrors.....

teaching my roommate to sew.... passing on the skills my mother taught to me

my kamiks and argyle socks.......

Amour de Paris peach wine and fresh banana cake, late night talks with my roommate......

Thursdays Things of Beauty, they made me smile and remind me that the simple small beautiful things in life are the best things in life. 
What were your small things of beauty this week?

Sunday, September 23, 2012

These boots were made for walking


When? September 23rd, 2012
Where? Work

Outfit details.
Dress: Black chiffon. Maurices(summer 2012)
Sweater. Marshalls (summer 2012)
Boots: F21(Fall 2011)
Necklace. F21(winter 2011)
Belt: came with a dress








"Smoky Sunrise"



Products used are Mary Kay, Sonia Kashuk, N.Y.C and Revlon.


Foundation: Time Wise Matte in Ivory 6(MK)

Blush: Sunset(SK)
Bronzer: Central Park Pink(NYC)
Eyeshadow:
Base color: Amber Blaze(MK)
Highlight: White Lily(MK)
Crease: Chocolate Kiss(MK)
Lash line: Iris(MK) (Layered over eyeliner while still wet)
Eyeliner:(MK) luxury liner in black (seasonal product, no longer available)
Mascara:(MK) lash love waterproof in I ♥ black








check out this blog for more great modest clothing ideas!
 Modern Modest Beauty

Cold creams and silk gloves

Lets talk about skin care! For most of my young teen life, I didn't care that much about my skin. I was one of the lucky people who didn't really break out with acne, and when I did it was in the notorious chin and nose area. So I did what I thought was the best idea, wipe the area clean with some rubbing alcohol and put on some acne gel from like clearasil on and call it good. I'd get overly dry skin because I was putting rubbing alcohol on it, so to combat the dry skin issue, I'd use St Ives apricot scrub to get rid of the dry skin. I rarely put on moisturizer, and when I did it was regular hand lotion.

Oi vey my skin care regime was a wreck! Thankfully my older sister had started selling Mary Kay and had a party with my younger sisters, some friends of ours and I. I was introduced to the velocity skin line( for teens). My face was so very happy with me! I used the great face wash and gel and watch my face adjust to the new products. It stopped drying out, my even rare acne slowed way down.

Once I graduated and moved away from home I just automatically graduated from the velocity line to the Mary Skin adult skin care line. My sister in law Caitlin became my consultant and got me hooked( it's like a drug y'all!) I started using the regular skin care line and was pleased with the results. Now I'm not perfect and make sure I'm doing the whole regime every single night, well because honestly, I'm human and have lazy moments! But I will say this, skin care is one of the most important things you can ever do for yourself and you will never regret taking care of your face, I can guarantee it!

People our skin doesn't just go from acne prone teen years into sleep mode to then start aging, no siree! It goes from being young, taut, to aging overnight! We need to lovingly take care of it! As a very pale skinned person, I am very susceptible to sunburns, freckles, and sun spots. But since I've taken care of my skin since I was in high-school I haven't damaged it with the sun I've got some pretty nice skin if i do say so myself. At 27 years old, I have nary a wrinkle or crows feet etching its way onto my face, and its all because I pamper my skin! I still break out with acne about once a month unless I make a preemptive strike against it.(I will talk about that in a later post)

With that being said, let me introduce to you the products I use at night(in the order of use) to help keep my skin young, beautiful, and healthy.



First off I start with Oil free eye makeup remover

This stuff is AMAZING! It removes all your beautiful makeup off with very little effort. You shake the bottle up, put some on a cotton ball or cotton pad, place it gently on lashes, and wait a few seconds, the gently 
wipe. It takes little effort to remove all trace of makeup!


Then I wash my face with TimeWise 3-In-1 cleanser
I love this product. Mark Kay has a few kinds to choose from. I use the purple line because I have oily/combination skin. The face wash is a clear gel with purple beads in it that help to exfoliate my skin, it freshens and cleanses away all dirt and impurities that are on my skin.

Then if I'm dealing with an acne breakout, which right now I am, up by my temples and a few spots on my chin and nose, I use Blemish control toner 3. It's 2% salicylic acid, which is just enough to dry up the acne but not my whole face. It's got a cool tingly feeling to it which is great because you can feel it working.



Next up I use an Acne treatment gel on the spots only. It is 5% Benezoyl peroxide. Gentle on my skin and doesn't stink like others can.





I follow that with my TimeWise targeted action eye revitalizer It helps keep the dark circles away and it's great to help reduce puffiness under the eye with the cool metal ball in the bottle that you roll on under your eye.


At night I put on my TimeWise night solution It's got lots of amazing vitamins, nutrients and collagen peptides that your skin needs. It comes with little pink and purple beads that burst and release the vitamins into the clear gel so that they are being directly applied to your skin.


Then I apply my face moisturizer. I use TimeWise age fighting moisturizer in the same purple line as my face wash as it caters to oily combination skin. This is one of the biggest things I stress on! Moisturize! I hate leaving the house or going to bed with out it on!



And last but certainly never least I apply my Lash & brow building serum This stuff, well I can't live without it now! It helps lengthen and make your lashes fuller and thicker. I have seen so much length and fullness in my lashes, that I never have to use false lashes anymore!



Then I apply a little bit of lip balm to keep my pout looking full and healthy! Then it's off to bed to get up and start my morning regime!



Saturday, September 22, 2012

Beyond the Horizon

When? September 22nd, 2012
Where? Work and a dinner party

Outfit details.
Pants. Stretch black skinny trousers, rolled up: Target(Fall 2011)
Cami. lace creamy grey: Vanity(Summer 2012)
Shirt. Coral silk blouse: Marshalls(Summer 2012)
Sweater. Navy Blue: F21(Winter 2011)
Shoes. Silver: Rocket Dog(Marshalls summer 2012)
Medallion necklace: F21(Winter 2011)





Makeup:

 "Beyond the blue coral reef"


Products used are Mary Kay, Sonia Kashuk, N.Y.C and Revlon.



Foundation: Time Wise Matte in Ivory 6(MK)
Blush: Sunset(SK)
Bronzer: Central Park Pink(NYC)


Eyeshadow:

Base color: Honey Spice(MK)

Midtone: Shy Blush & Precious Pink(MK)

Highlight: White Lily(MK)

Inner and outer corner: Midnight star and Peacock blue (MK)


Eyeliner:(MK) luxury liner in black (seasonal product, no longer available) 
Mascara:(MK) lash love waterproof in I heart black 
Lipstick:Silver city pink ( Revlon)


Friday, September 21, 2012

Pleating Innocence!

When? September 21st. 2012
Where? Work

Outfit details. 
Shirt: Forest Green sweater. Target(got it for my birthday years ago)
Skirt. Black knife pleated mid length skirt. Target(Fall 2012)
Belt. Leopard print. F21(spring 2012)
Shoes. Fergie from Fred Meyer(Spring 2012)




Makeup Details.

"Walk through the Jungle"

Products used are Mary Kay, E.L.F, Sonia Kashuk, N.Y.C and Revlon.

Foundation: Time Wise Matte in Ivory 6(MK)
Blush: Sunset(SK)
Bronzer: Central Park Pink(NYC)
Eyeshadow:
Midtone: Honey Spice(MK)
Highlight: White Lily(MK)
Upperlid and Lash line: Dark green from Cool Palatte(E.L.F)
Crease: Amber blaze with a touch of Cinnabar(MK)
Eyeliner:(MK) luxury liner in black (seasonal product, no longer available) 

Mascara:(MK) lash love waterproof in I heart black 

Lipstick:Strawberry Shortcake( Revlon color burst lip butter)










Check out this blog I follow! <a href="http://www.modernmodestbeauty.com/search/label/sunday%20style"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/jennyjellybean02/sunday-style.jpg"/></a>

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Fifty Shades Of Blue

When? September 20th, 2012
Where? Work and errands

Outfit Details:
Skirt: Navy Blue stretch pencil F21(summer 2012)
Blouse. Black and white polka dot. F21(summer 2012)
Belt: came with a dress(can't remember where lol)
Shoes. Grey Blowfish flats . Marshall's (spring 2012)
Necklace. F21(winter 2011)











Makeup.
"Glam Garden Plum"
Mary Kay products, Sonia Kashuk products, NYC products, Revlon products.
Foundation: time wise matte wear in ivory 6(MK)
Blush: Sunset(Sonia Kashuk)
Bronzer: Central Park pink( NYC)
Eyeshadow(all MK)
moonstone(highlight)
Precious Pink ( midtone)
Sweet Plum(inner and outer corners)

Eyeliner:(MK) luxury liner in black( seasonal product, no longer available)

Mascara:(MK) lash love waterproof in I heart black

Lipstick:Sunset(MK) with Strawberry Shortcake(Revlon color burst lip butter)



A little Peplum talk

When: September 20th, 2012
Where: Work

Outfit details
Skirt: black pencil stretch. F21(summer 2012)
Top: mustard gold. F21(summer 2010)
Sweater: grey three button. Target (winter 2011)
Shoes. Burgundy suade. Target( Clearance fall 2011)
Necklace. F21(fall 2011)
Belt. Leopard print. F21(spring 2012)




Makeup.
"Heavens to Betsy! burgundy"
Mary Kay products, Sonia Kashuk products and NYC products.
Foundation: time wise matte wear in ivory 6(MK)
Blush: Sunset(Sonia Kashuk)
Bronzer: Central Park pink( NYC)
Eyeshadow(all MK)
moonstone(highlight)
Honey spice( midtone)
Coal( crease)
Truffle( pop of color in crease)
Sweet Plum( layered over truffle)

Eyeliner:(MK) luxury liner in black( seasonal product, no longer available)

Mascara:(MK) lash love waterproof in I heart black

Lipstick:(MK) Sunset.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Closet Organization 101 Part 1

So as I've mentioned in a earlier post, I am revamping my entire closet! So very excited! I was inspired by Kendi of kendieveryday to create for myself a "working closet"  A working closet means, that I can go into my closet and be able to make an outfit out of any and everything in there. Ive lost 33 lbs in the last year and I have numerous clothes that no longer fit, or need to be tailored. So instead of going out and just buying new clothes, Ive decided I need to revamp the whole closet and start with the bare bones. The first step in closet organization and creating a working closet is Purging. We all know purging mean. To get rid of what is undesirable, to cleanse, etc. So that's what I did. Here is Kendi's quick and easy step by step process of "purging"


How to Purge Your Closet (and still have things to wear)

1. Go through your closet with a fine-tooth comb. Take inventory of everything you own and start evaluating if you need to keep an item or not. I have a few guidelines that I use to see if it's worth keeping or it's ready leave my closet.

It no longer fits. 
You don't like it or you've never worn it. 
It has unrepairable holes or tears in it. 
You haven't worn it in 6-12 months (or within the appropriate season). 
You get confused by just looking at it. 
You've never seen this item before and you're not quite sure how it get in here. 

If you answered yes to any of the above, there is only one answer: purge it. Get it out of your closet. 
Keeping items that you will never wear in your closet does you no good. Think of these items as junk mail, when you clean out your inbox you can see your other emails a lot better. Same with clothing you don't wear, clean it out and you'll begin to see your closet for what it is and can be.

2.  If you are struggling with throwing a few things out, start a "maybe" pile. I keep a (small) box in my laundry room, so when I find something that I just don't wear anymore, but I'm not ready to give away it goes in the box. If it's still there in a month or so (meaning I haven't missed it), then I donate it, sell it or swap it with a friend. If you are unsure about a few items, pull them to the side and try them on. If it fits and you can pair it with 3-5 other items in your closet, then keep it. If it doesn't, purge and move on.

3. Next, go through the clothing you've decided to give away. Figure out where these clothes are going to. Is it a thrift store like goodwill or salvation army? Is it to a friend for a clothing swap? Will you sell it to a consignment shop or online? Find a place for these clothes to go somewhere, don't just toss them out. If you can't wear them, someone will. Donating creates a great cycle. The more you donate, the more people can buy which creates more jobs. See? Who knew that cleaning out your closet could do so much good?

4. After your purge, go through your closet and start to pair items together without the clutter of the unworn clogging your creativity. Pair things together for the coming week and hang them in their respective outfit pairs.

Taking her advice I attacked my closet, and started going through every item. I first just took everything out and quickly went through each pile of clothing and threw out stuff I knew I hadn't worn in the last year, what was too big, too old, etc and started a unwanted pile. As I went through all of my clothes I also pulled out anything that I knew needed to be taking in  or mended (I have a few very expensive work pants that I'm not going to give away when I can get them tailored to fit me.)

Over the next few days, I went back with an even more keen eye and pared down what was left in my closet. I realized that I had stuff that I bought last year and only wore once. I also had numerous camisoles that were printed that I never wear(why I have so many white ribbed tanks, and sweatshirts Ill never know! lol) I'm still in the process of going through my shoes and getting rid of the clutter. Most of the pile of clothing I have set aside that is no longer taking up residence in my closet, will go out to my sister and friends and whatever is left I will donate to a thrift store.

After all this purging, I was able to stand back and admire what I had left in my closet. I've already been able to create new outfits out of what I have left! My next post I'll go through and discuss what I have left and why! 

My lovely mess of a closet

Friday, September 14, 2012

Country meets office



I was going through my closet last night "purging"( more on that in a later post) and I came across this shirt. I had it hanging in the back of my closet and I forgot how much I loved it! So I decided to wear it to work today. I paired it with a navy blue pencil skirt, added a cream belt, some grey peep toes and called it good! I love the way the orange and blue compliment each other. I also did my make up in purples to make my baby blues pop!


When: September 14th, 2012
Where: Work and Errands

Outfit details:
Plaid top: Forever 21(Fall 2011)
Navy Pencil Skirt: Forever 21(Summer 2012)
Belt: Vanity (Fall 2011)
Peeptoes: Fergie (Spring 2012)
Necklace:Gift











Makeup: 
"Plum Twilight"
 I use all MaryKay brand
Highlight: Honey Spice
Crease line: Lavender Fog
Corner V: Sweet Plum
Layered on corner v: Iris
Luxury Black eyeliner(limited edition)
Lash Love Mascara in Black
Blonde eyebrow pencil
Bronzer on the cheeks





Thursday, September 13, 2012

A working girls closet

For the last few months I've been toying with this blog and what I want it to become. It started out as randomness, then cooking which led to fashion stuff, and the most current was beauty. But I was never satisfied. As I've grown the last few years into the person I've become, I'm finding that my own sense of style is emerging. I don't follow fashion trends very often. I wear what I want and don't care what others think. I've lost 30 lbs in the last year, and as a result very few of my clothes fit. Which is great! So I've decided to take this blog in a different direction. I've got a closet full of clothes, some that don't fit, some that do. I want to make my closet a working closet, inspired by Kendi of kendieveryday, and take all of what I own and make it work for my work style and non-work style. Melding together my love of retro clothing with a modern take. So first step is purging which will commence on my weekend. I'm looking forward to this, it's time to get rid of the excess and build a solid working closet. Hope you enjoy the journey with me!