winter re-vamp

{pictured: just a few of my must-haves... equipment cardigan, rag & bone jeans, c.wonder earrings, rgb nail polish, 3.1 phillip lim clutch, rms living luminizer, elizabeth arden 8 hour cream, report flats}

while i'm definitely excited for all of the fall trends, the truth is, i've been looking at these clothes since february — at some point, it starts to feel a little tired. which is why i am on a mission to find perfect, high-quality classics that will keep me going all season long.

for starters, i'm a huge sucker for cashmere sweaters – i have more than i can physically count – but i recently realized they're all pullovers or v-necks. no variety there. i'm hoping to switch up my game this season with a perfectly slouchy cardigan, and this equipment one is looking pretty dreamy.

i'm also in the market for a new pair of jeans (aren't we always? ) and rag & bone is my source for the very best denim. i'm hoping i have time to stop by their nolita store one of these weekends to get a pair. i'm a skinny-jeans-only girl, and these have the perfect rise, super-slim legs and a flattering dark wash.

another wardrobe staple for me? ballet flats. while i amassed quite the collection of j.crew statement sandals this summer (like these and these) i tend to wear ballet flats almost every day. (you can imagine how cold my feet get in the winter). i've been obsessed with these vince flats for quite a while – the pointy toe and d'orsay style are a nice departure from my standard ballets. since i haven't wanted to splurge, i was happy to discover this identical pair by report. they look strikingly similar and are beyond comfortable (yes, i've tried them on a few times). they also come in this super cute leopard style.

as for the earrings, they're from c. wonder and i am in love. (thanks, liz!) the $38 price tag makes them almost too good to be true. they look cute with everything, from a leather jacket and skirt to my favorite sweatshirt and jeans. i suggest you get yourself a pair.

next: do i need a furry clutch? i certainly do not. but that didn't stop me from falling hard for this phillip lim bag, $500 price tag and all. it's everything i want in a clutch – large, simple, functional –  and it's fuzzy. what could be better? now, how can i make this happen…

when it comes to beauty, i'm all about maintaining a solid routine. even though my skin gets drier in the winter, i'll still be using my favorite products – including boots botanics rose hip facial oil, origins brightening eye cream, boscia tinted moisturizer, origins mascara (i'll never go back to chemical mascaras), kerastase cristalliste shampoo, lancome flash bronzer lotion, neutrogena pressed powder (i love the finish), and nars laguna bronzing powder. i've used all of these for years, but i'm constantly trying new products, whether i'm stopping by sephora on the weekend or snagging free samples from work. in terms of new discoveries, i recently added elizabeth arden 8-hour cream to my arsenal (yeah, i'm about 10 years late) and i think i've found the perfect crimson polish in rgb's "classic red." my other new favorite thing is my rms living luminizer, which adds a glow in one swipe and includes just four all-natural ingredients. 

how are you updating your winter look?

II emily

spring pinspiration

some of the pretty things inspiring me this season.

you can see all of my pinterest boards here.

xx

{ everything i want right now: a signet ring (this one is also great), mirrored nails & a ysl arty ring }

{ a simple black+blue jeans outfit with clever details: studded pumps & a braided updo }

{ a sweet everyday makeup look: hot pink lips and shimmery shadow }

{ i love this refined-yet-casual look: black shorts, strappy sandals & a striped tee }

{ can't wait to buy this giant 2-inch curling iron to get soft bended ends }

via the beauty department

{ a cute denim-on-denim update: super wide flares }

{ everything i could want in a room: pops of hot pink, some ethnic patterns & gold accents }

{ this hair color is pretty much perfect }

{ showing some love for retro high waisted bikinis }

II emily

a few favorites

today i realized something pretty obvious: while i tend to buy new beauty products at the drugstore/sephora every two weeks or so, there are only a few special items that i have had to replace. it takes a lot for me to make a second purchase -- if i run out of something, i'm usually compelled to try something new rather than re-buy something i already used up. but when it's really, really good, it gets a permanent place in my trusty makeup organizer.

a few of these tried-and-true beauty items: 

from top left: 

the origins ginzing brightening mascara has an all natural, paraben-free formula but gives you gigantic lashes. worth the price, and it's easy on your eyes.

 tarte lipsurgence skintuitive lip tint is a barley-there balm that reacts with your pH to give you the perfect pink, which is usually just-bright-enough but also natural-looking. perfect for a "no makeup" day (which typically includes mascara and bb cream for me).

ysl volupte sheer candy glossy balm in #09 cool guava is slightly more intense than the tarte pencil, but still feels light as air. it's a cool shade of baby pink, sheer enough for the early morning commute but statement-making enough for a night on the town.

another part of my minimal, everyday makeup routine: maybelline's dream fresh bb cream (medium). we all scratched our heads when bb creams hit the american market, and some of them are way too thick and chalky to make their way onto my counter. but maybelline's is perfection: slightly creamier than a tinted moisturizer, it provides the perfect amount of coverage, blurring imperfections and easily gliding over skin to create a flawless, ultra-glowy complexion. i don't go a day without it.

for layering underneath the bb cream, i typically turn to josie maran argan oil. the idea of slathering oil on your face doesn't sound like it would be good for your skin, but it helps it find the perfect moisture balance. and it just feels great. i hate when i put on moisturizer and it doesn't feel like it sinks in completely, but with oils you get instantly refreshed, hydrated skin, and makeup goes on super smooth.

sometimes an oil isn't enough for me, though -- i get drier skin in the winter, which is why i order embryolisse lait-crème concentrè. i've read about this lightweight lotion on countless blogs, and apparently makeup artists frequently keep it in their kits. it functions as both a weightless moisturizer and a primer, and i noticed a striking difference in the tone, texture and moisture balance in my skin after using it.

i'll be posting some haircare essentials in the next few days as well!

II emily

beauty inspo: dkny spring '13

while i was looking through the spring '13 shows for about the one hundredth time, i stumbled across dkny - which i hadn't taken a good look at til now - and not only are the clothes sleek, modern, and quintessentially new york, but the hair is minimalist perfection. those smooth, ultra-straight-yet-still-touchable locks with the super deep part and swept-over bangs.... if only i could get my hair to do that! 

images via style.com

to get the look, use a lightweight silkifying spray like garnier fructis weightless conditinoing triple nutrition nutrient hair spray on wet hair, then create a deep side part (use the arch of your eyebrow as your guide - just part straight back from there using the end of a comb). then blow dry sections with a rounded board bristle brush, pulling down on the hair to straighten it and ensuring the front pieces lay flat across your forehead. make sure you're using a nozzle, and point the heat down so it doesn't rough up the cuticle of your hair and cause frizz. once it's all dry, you can follow with a straightening cream or serum to ensure everything stays perfect.

the joy of giving

thanksgiving is just around the corner which means.... turkey, potatoes, pecan pie and plenty of cider. but more importantly, thanksgiving means it's officially time to start  your holiday shopping!!!!! 

i hear time and time again that holiday shopping causes stress for a lot of people, but it doesn't have to be this way. i find there are a few tricks to pleasing everyone on your list and doing so in the chicest way possible:

tip #1: buy early. this is a no brainer. you'll have your pick of all of the season's best products, and while you might miss a few sales, you'll rest assured you bought that sparkly iPad case or snuggly cashmere socks before they completely sold out. and you'll avoid all of that insane holiday shopping traffic.

tip #2: think luxuriously. no one wants a predictable or boring gift. your friends and family can tell when you've put some thought and consideration into your gifts, and that's how you show your love! i always say it's best to buy people things that they wouldn't normally buy for themselves: a splurge-worthy st. james tee, plush faux fur blanket, or pricey bottle of alcohol. just because they need a new blender doesn't mean you should buy them one. 

tip #3: consider beauty products. i personally think cosmetics are some of the best gifts you can give, and they're probably the least expected item on anyone's list. i'm not saying you should buy your grandmother one of those blue nars x andy warhol eyeshadows when you know she's strictly into taupe -- but consider her everyday beauty routine and go from there. for example, my mom loves a select few things: super hydrating creams; dewy  foundations; the yves saint laurent touche eclat corrector; ultra-natural pink lips; and a certain dior palette with the prettiest neutral shadows around. so, what to buy a woman with a tried-and-true (and decidedly glamorous) beauty routine? for starters, i know she would love the dior hydra life foundation because it's lightweight, super moisturizing, and still provides plenty of coverage -- plus, it comes in a shade pale enough for her skin tone. i also know she would love any of those new clinique 'black honey' variations since she's been wearing the original color since the 90s. and i could even throw in one of the new tom ford lipsticks, which apparently smell amazing and come in the most perfect colors, from deep burgundy to neon pink (though i'd probably go with casablanca for mom). giving her a few new items that she would actually love and use would be thoughtful, heartfelt, unexpected, and yes, luxurious.

below, i provided even more ideas for the lovely women in your life -- best friends, cousins, moms, aunts, etc! happy shopping!

{ from the top: asos gloves, c wonder earrings, j.crew bracelet, j.crew passport cover, power mate plus x j.crew portable iPhone charger, nyx soft matte lip cream set, j.crew polka dot infinity scarf, nars eyeshadow trio in delphes, st. germain liquer (my absolute favorite! cocktail recipes coming soon), kate spade usb ring, chanel nail colour in vamp (a classic), kate spade cosmetics case }

II emily

beauty moment: baby pink

i've loved pale pink pretty much my entire life (save for a brief phase in which i told my 2nd grade class my favorite color was black in an attempt to be rebellious...) and find it acceptable on almost anything -- pants, dresses, bedding, flowers, accessories, jewelry, walls, art, tees... and of course nails. a pale pink manicure is the epitome of chic, but until recently, most of the pale pink polish varieties had been decidedly sheer. kind of 'your nails but better' and so subtle -- almost colorless.

i wasn't so into that timid 'pale pink.' it wasn't until i discovered the opaque, cotton candy goodness of butter london's 'teddy girl' lacquer (pictured below) that i became instantly re-obsessed with my girlish pale pink past. finally, real pale pink nails were back in the most saccharine of ways, and i had a sneaky suspicion nail polish was just the beginning.

my personal obsession continued when i snapped up my beloved ysl  sheer candy lip balm in 'cool guava' -- basically the best tinted balm that has ever existed. it's ultra-moisturizing, perfectly tinted and a little bit shiny; all in all, the perfect amount of color for daytime errands. and it comes in a sleek silver bullet of a tube, so you still feel like you're applying lipstick.

 then i spotted the MAC ad {below} in this month's  issue of vogue and couldn't contain my excitement (nor could my best friend, betsy). baby pink nails and baby pink lips? is it sickeningly sweet? way too cute? maybe, if you pair the look with a gingham dress or glittery flats. super-sugary lips and nails like this look best with simple, streamlined ensembles that aren't girly in the least. but as the proud owner of more florals and bows than i can physically count, i'm not one to judge how you rock this look.

 

{ image: MAC advertisement for the new st. germain makeup range // products: MAC nail lacquer in st. germain / MAC lipstick in st. germain / butter london nail lacquer in teddy girl / YSL volupte sheer candy glossy lip balm in cool guava }

II emily

ashley

this is my ultimate summer beauty look. (on one of my ultimate style icons, to boot.) it's both natural and ethereal, chic yet not stuffy. soft waves, lightly bronzed skin, shimmery cheeks, baby doll lashes, nude lips and a bit of gold eyeshadow hint at the ever-so-popular "bare faced" look while adding radiance and subtle definition. the key is to choose bronzer that's just a touch darker than your natural skin tone (otherwise you'll look too harsh) and to thoroughly blend your highlighter and eye shadows so everything looks nice and soft.

 it sure helps that all of this takes five minutes to master. seriously. besides the occasional swipe of gel eyeliner for nighttime events, i'm keeping this look in rotation all season long.

{ image via olsens anonymous // naked2 eyeshadow palette, stila bronzer, stila lip gloss in "kitten," nars the multiple in copacabana}

II emily

pink pop

{ liz is wearing: uniqlo dress, forever21 anorak (old, but a cute option here), hunter boots, ray ban aviators, revlon 'lilac champagne' lipstick }

making a rainy day slightly more bearable with a bright pink lip and nautical dress. 

II emily

skinny dip

anyone who knows me will attest that my nails are rarely polish-free. on top of that, they're never a basic pink or clear; they're almost always a super-bright, completely non-natural hue, and the bolder the better. hot pink, neon orange, cobalt blue, bright coral... you name it. (i'm still after the perfect lime green.) because of this, my close friends will be especially shocked to read this post because lately, i've turned away from rainbow-brite hues and towards clean, classy, utterly versatile nudes. 

i'm beyond excited for spring to finally arrive so i can wear blindingly-bright colors to my heart's desire, and until now, that anticipation has included bright nail colors. i picked out my favorites from essie (mostly from their new spring line) and imagined how cute they would look with my floral jeans and a citron knit. 

but i have to eat my words. with so many colors swirling around in my spring outfits and accessories, shouldn't my nails take on a more subtle sheen? there is such thing as too much of a good thing, especially when it comes to bold colors.

enter: the nude nail. it honestly looks better with a tan, so i'm trying out my first color-free manicure as soon as i return from vacation. i'm partial to pink-based nudes, like the deborah lippmann shades below, but even essie's grey-tinged "topless and barefoot" and opi's creamy "samoan sand" would look perfect with every colorful spring ensemble.


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

{top row: deborah lippman baby love / essie topless & barefoot / deborah lippman naked

bottom row: essie bff best boyfriend / OPI samoan sand / butter london hen party} 

II emily

spring break essentials

here at IU, spring break is just around the corner. (two days!!!) and if you're heading south for warmer climates, you'll need more than a string bikini to get through the week. (but those are essential, too - check out the guide to mixing and matching swimwear i posted a few weeks ago!) my suggestions are as follows:

first, fashion. i love embracing bold, bright hues on spring break - it's not only fun and stylish, but bold colors actually lift my mood. for the past few gloomy months, i've been living in equally gloomy colors. spring break is a huge breath of fresh, colorful air! it's like the sun is melting away all of winter's stresses. ahhhhh. much needed.
this year, i'm packing lots of bright pinks and oranges, with plenty of whites and neutrals to balance them out. and i love easy, simple, comfortable silhouettes; how amazing is that heidi merrick shift? dying for the shape and mixture of orange, aqua & yellow. as for shoes, flat sandals are my best friends. comfortable, chic, and durable... what else could you want in a shoe?

you know i'm a huge jewelry girl, but arm party + beach = misery. nothing is worse than getting sand stuck in your favorite rhinestone bangle, and it's just uncomfortable wearing lots of metal in high temperatures! as a result, i tend to leave most of my jewels at home, but i always make sure i pack a few sleek, statement-making pieces for nighttime. a chunky gold bangle is perfect for my colorful vacation ensembles; gold goes with everything and makes even a t-shirt and jeans feel a bit dressier. (plus, it looks extra chic with a slick gold iPhone case - a total necessity for beach music!)

when it comes to beauty, of course the first item on your shopping list is sunscreen. i always wear at least spf 30. believe me, no matter how much you want to be tan, it isn't worth a sunburn or the skin damage down the road. i love spray-on sunscreen and handy little sunscreen towelettes; they're surprisingly effective and so much easier to use than lotion!

now, the subject of makeup is kind of a nonissue. i mean, who goes to the beach wearing foundation and eye shadow?? that's just silly. even when you're going out for dinner and drinks at night, chances are your skin will be a little sensitive from all the sun, so i'd advise against slathering on layers of makeup. 
instead, i like to use a gentle soothing cream on my face and neck to avoid irritation, then i just dust on a bit of loose powder, sweep bronzer over my cheeks, and add a touch of highlighter (learn how to use bronzer & highlighter to their best potential with this recent post; and yes, i'm aware of my nars obsession). i usually balance out the natural look with some shockingly bright nail polish, like fuchsia or aqua.

is there anything i'm missing? what are your must-haves for spring break/vacation?

the list:

1) heidi merrick dress 2) clare vivier clutch [similar here] 3) incase chrome iPhone case [similar here] 4) asos sunglasses [similar here] 5) nars nail polish in "schiap" 6) nars illuminator in "copacabana" 7) nars bronzer in "laguna"  8) j.crew bangle [similar here] 9) neutrogena ultra gentle soothing cream 10) tocca spf30+ sunscreen towelette multi pack 11) marc by marc jacobs nylon tote [not yet available, but similar here and here]

II emily

the art of contouring

in the world of beauty, i'm all about the eyes. it's so typical and girly; my desert-island product is mascara, i'm a sucker for shimmery shadow, and i've perfected swoopy cat-eye liner. 

but a recent rendezvous with a certain nars bronzer and stila highlighter have made me obsessed with contouring.

nothing's worse than seeing a beautifully made-up face that's completely flat; all one color, one texture, one tone. it looks like a mask! everyone needs some blush at the very least, and you can make even more of an impact by giving your features some highlights and lowlights. my contouring routine goes like this:

1) apply a thin layer of caudalie vinoperfect cream for an even, radiant glow.

2) smooth chanel vitalumiere foundation wherever necessary for a bit of coverage (with a shiseido foundation brush). 

3) dust almay clear complexion powder over t-zone (forehead, nose & chin).

4) using a dense kabuki brush (like this one), swirl nars bronzer in laguna below cheekbones, under the jaw, and at the temples/hairline for shading.

5) dip a fluffy fan brush into a highlighting powder (i sometimes use stila 'kitten' eyeshadow for this) and blend it over the apples of cheeks, over the top of cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, and over the brow bones to counteract the shading.

result: a glowy, contoured complexion!

if you want to do all of the above with one product, the tom ford shade & illuminate is for you. it's pricy at $70 - but easily the best tool for contouring. try the products below for an equally flattering effect:

{highlight, clockwise from top left: rms living luminizer, stila 'kitten' eyeshadow, nars illuminator in copacobana, sonia kashuk fan brush, stila all over shimmer duo, madina chic & shine stick // shade: tom ford shade & illuminate, clinique true bronze pressed powder bronzer, nars bronzing powder brush, bobbi brown bronzing powder, nars bronzer in laguna}

II emily

beauty buys

just saw jane aldridge's latest post on her crazy-cool blog sea of shoes. don't you love it? i'm obsessed with this blog, and especially enjoy when jane posts her wacky little drawings and insane, artistic juxtapositions of fashion. her makeup always looks stunning and intense, which of course led to fans like me asking what she uses. here's how she shared her flawless beauty regimen:

it inspired me to share my go-to beauty products with you too. i believe that when you embrace it, makeup can be the greatest thing in the world; being hopeful and enthusiastic about your beauty endeavors allows you to find exactly what colors, textures, and tools work for you (hellooo, gorgeous!) but this excitement can often lead to a few bumps in the road (mistakes you learn from, of course). after experiencing a few makeup failures (i.e. lip-gloss overload, matte gray eyeshadow, and messy black eyeliner) i think i've finally figured out what works best for my olive-toned-and-sometimes-dry skin, brown eyes, and round face.

{FROM TOP: Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Caviar Ink, Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Spot Gel, Maybelline Lash Stiletto in Very Black, Cle De Peau Beaute Concealer in Beige, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, Tarte Cheek Stain in Natural Beauty, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Fawn, Laura Mercier Bronzing Gel, Fresh Satin Luster Face Palette}

what are your trusted beauty products?

-emily