Fashion Me Fabulous

Review: Magnetic Nail Polish

2012-05-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

When I first heard about magnetic nail polish, I couldn't imagine it working let alone looking good. I saw it in person recently though and had to give it a try. Several brands already offer the magnetic polish in a variety of styles. I'm a fan of Sally Hansen products, and I had a coupon so I tried theirs.

Application:
Use a good base coat. Apply a thin coat of the magnetic polish and let that dry. Working one nail at a time, apply a thick coat of polish and immediately hold the provided magnet over the wet polish, getting it as close as you can without touching the nail and keeping it in place for 15 seconds.

I didn't have a problem with this, but I've talked to several people who didn't quite understand how to do it or found it difficult. Most polishes instruct you to use the magnet for 10 seconds. I think the effect was much better if you do 15 seconds. If you're nervous about holding the magnet too close to your nail, hold it a little further away and add a few more seconds to the time. Also, shake the polish frequently because the magnets fall to the bottom. The polish itself was easy to apply, but do keep the top on it while you're using the magnet (it detaches from the top) because this stuff seems like it will get thick and goopy quickly.

Look:
It looked really cool, and I got a ton of compliments on my nails. My mom tried it too, and while really liked it, she was frustrated that all of the nails didn't look uniform. If you are seeking perfect nail art, look elsewhere. There is a randomness to how the magnets will look on each nail. None of our nails looked all that different from the others, but they weren't identical either. I liked that, but it was hard for my mom to get used to.

Wear:
This polish chips a little more easily than many of the other Sally Hansen polishes I've tried, but it will last a few days chip free. I recommend the Dries Instantly top coat Jael reviewed a while ago. I applied the top coat every second or third day to make them last a little past a week. A good base coat and top coat go a long way here.

Verdict:
Overall, I thought it was a fun little gimmick: one part nail art mixed with one part science experiment. Even if you aren't great at doing your own nails, this nail art is fairly user-friendly. Now that so many brands are making it, it's also fairly affordable. Sally's version costs around $7.99 (in stores, online it cost $9.99 plus shipping), and Sally Hansen Coupons are abundant (most of the magnetic polish displays I've seen have a stack of $1 off coupons attached). I liked the look and easy of application enough that I might even buy another color.

Poll: Bad Fashion Day

2012-05-30T08:22:00.002-04:00

Unlike most Americans who had Monday off, I had to work. To add to the indignity, I was having a bad shoe day. I have a cute little pair of shoes that I thought I would make more comfortable with padded inserts. Well, that works best if the shoes are already a little big, not perfect. Now they're a little snug. I neglected to wear socks and ended up with skin peeled off my heel and a toe and with a dime-sized blister on the other heel.

You can't even gripe about a bad shoe day either. It's your own fault really.

You also can't gripe about a rogue undies day either. Whether they're too tight, too loose or too invasive, the best you can hope for is a bit of privacy to deal with the problem. I've actually blanked on conversations because all I could think was "Underwear! What are you doing?!"

poll by twiigs.com

Is there another fashion grr that poo poos on your day? It's deep personal question day, as you can see.

Layered Gold Necklaces

2012-05-29T08:30:00.001-04:00

A dainty gold and diamond necklace is a classy wardrobe staple. Using my fancy fashion math skills, three diamond necklaces in white, rose and yellow gold should be triple sophisticated, right? I love the sleek bezel setting of these necklaces by Trio by Effy. This is a complete fantasy because the 16" chains are nearly $1600 a piece and the 36" is over $3,700 per chain. Hahaha! (And this is why I buy all my gold at second-hand stores.)

For a more affordable option, Max & Chloe has a ball chain necklace with one small diamond pendant also available in three gold colors. The solid gold chains are $450 a piece, and the gold plated ones are $125 ($108 for sterling silver).

Happy Memorial Day

2012-05-28T09:27:00.001-04:00

Memorial Day Isn't For BBQs by fashionmefabulous on polyvore.com

We'll be back Tuesday.

This Week (And Last) On Fashion Me Fabulous

2012-05-26T15:09:00.000-04:00

Neon Girl by fashionmefabulous featuring yellow pants

Speak Up: Tell us if you love or loathe strapless. How do you feel about body con dresses? Vote for your favorite TV-inspired accessories. Pick your top teal and tangerine trinkets. Also, weigh in on Marc Jacobs' questionable style.

Brighten Up: Learn how to wear tangerine. Nab colorful bags for summer. Punch up your wardrobe with red tops. Spruce up any pair of shoes with shoe and ankle cuffs from j.dot designs on Etsy.

Dress Up: Pick up party dresses under $50 for wedding season. Get earthy with handmade leather accessories from Mesa Dreams on Etsy. Hide bad hair days with these quick styles. Score this graduation outfit for under $150.

Pick Up: Read Jael's review of Clean Scents. Check out this fun and fashionable gear ring (with working gears). Get comfy this summer with Bare Traps Darley Sandals, great walking sandals as a great price.

Project Design: Teal and Tangerine

2012-05-25T10:51:00.000-04:00

I love blue with orange, and for a fun summery variation, I love teal with tangerine. It's bright, happy, and fun. I'm having a small party tonight, and I'm decorating with teal and tangerine. Which of these vibrant accessories make those colors pop most?

Teal quartz and orange chalcedony gold chandelier earrings by OliveYewJewels

Tangerine Flower Necklace by PrettyNecklaces

Cute Kitsch Apron by CreativeChics

Turquoise and Orange Zipper Brooch by ZipPinning

in a whimsical wonderland poppy garland headband by muchloveilly

bright bird pins by moloco

Orange and Teal Zippered Pouch by GritsAndGiggles

poll by twiigs.com

Etsy Shop of the Week: j.dot designs

2012-05-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

Shop: j.dot designs

Why We Love It: I love fun shoes, but I don't posses the income to buy all the fun shoes I'd like. This shop showcases ankle cuffs, shoes cuffs and spats to transform any basic pair of shoes into something special. j.dot also offers belts and wrist cuffs.

Price Range:$39 - $69

Favorite Items: Black Abstract Bow Ankle Cuffs $59 (pictured); Black Sequin Mid-Calf Spats with Bow Front $69; Taupe and Ivory Leather Ruffle Spats $39; MOHAWK Black Feather Shoe Cuff $49; Peacock Feather Ankle Cuffs with band $59; Neon Hot Pink Abstract Flower Wrist Corsage with Feathers $39; Black Leather Chain Belt $69

$150 Challenge: Graduation Outfit

2012-05-24T08:17:00.001-04:00

Class of 2012 by fashionmefabulous

Dress
$35 - target.com

Forever 21 patent leather heels
$27 - forever21.com

Aldo jewelry
$12 - aldoshoes.com

Beyond Rings 14k gold plated jewelry
$42 - endless.com

Pick of the Week: Bare Traps Darley Sandals

2012-05-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

Something must be terribly wrong because this is my second time choosing flats as a Pick of the Week recently. Honestly, flats and I aren't friends. My doctors tell me I should wear them more often to help with some foot and ankle problems, but finding comfortable flats that fit is far harder than it should be. I searched for 4 years to find flat walking sandals that fit, looked cute enough to wear with skirts and dresses (sporty and orthopedic don't suit my style), didn't cost a fortune and didn't turn under my foot when I walked. For some reason that last one was the hardest. Every pair of sandals I've tried on have turned under my foot as I walked. It happens to my mom too. It's awful.

After much searching, I came across the Darley Sandal at DSW. It lasted through a lot of wear last summer and is going strong this year. It is made of very soft leather and has enough support to handle my long, meandering summer walks. While it isn't the top comfort sandal I've tried on (S.A.S. sandals are crazy comfy, but even my mom calls them old lady shoes), the price can't be beat. It currently costs $39.94 at DSW. Last year, I found it on sale at a Bon Ton store for under $30. I also bought a pair of yellow Delaney sandals, Darley's closed twin sister for about $29 (currently $49.95 at DSW).

Review: Clean Scents

2012-05-23T08:17:00.002-04:00

For over a year, I've been on a casual search for a perfume. While I still love Kate Walsh's Boyfriend, the smell changes radically when I have a migraine and the boyfriend becomes one abusive sharp note. (If you have migraines like I do, take advantage of Sephora's samples so you can see how you react to the smell on a bad day.)

On top of the migraine issue, I'm in a bit of a bind regarding scents in general. I don't like floral or sweet smells on my body. Woodsy and Asian are my notes, and those are limited in women's perfumes. (becca has just given up hope of finding something at the women's counter and has started looking for a cologne.)

Though I hadn't thought of it, I also love the smell of clean. I tend to buy candles in scents like crisp cotton or fresh linen, and I love to bury my nose in my husband's neck after he's showered. So I was pretty excited to find a line of perfumes called Clean.

Clean smells clean. (That sentence will change lives, my friend. You may now submit my name for a Webby. Please use the phrase "keen observation and wit.") In addition to their eponymous Clean fragrance, Clean has a variety of fresh offerings from Outdoor Shower Fresh to Cotton T-Shirt. My favorites are Shower Fresh and Skin. Shower Fresh smells like a sunny summer day and breaks down into a bright floral. The scent is also available in a bath and body set. I may have found a winner with Skin. While there are floral notes in the perfume the overall impression is warmth; in fact, it smells like someone you want to hug. Is there a better thing to smell like?

The only detractor is that neither scent will last you from morning until bedtime. However if you are someone who wears perfume for special occasions instead of as part of your daily routine, it's a non-issue. A 1oz. bottle is $38 at Sephora, considerably cheaper than most popular fragrances on the market.

Hairstyles for Hiding Bad Hair Days

2012-05-22T11:00:00.000-04:00

I learned something about doing my hair about 10 years ago--I have no control. My hair is curly so I just have to let it do it's thing. It won't look perfect everyday, but I won't pull it out trying to make it cooperate. I do have some days when my hair won't do anything. Those days require some quick thinking and even quicker hair styles since I don't own many hats or much patience.

A while back, I asked how you, dear readers, cope with bad hair days. Most of your said "hats" or "put it up." One reader suggested half wigs, and another loves an elegant French twist. Jael Paris said she likes to wear bold lipstick or jewelry to distract from hair horror.

The day before I posted that question, my hair managed to be frizzy and flat and weirdly straight in spots. I gave up and literally put a sock in it. Mr. Kate posted a cute tutorial on HelloGiggles on how to make a big bun using a sock. If I had it to do over, I'd put the but further back on my head. I'd also take the bun out for the evening because it left me with really pretty waves. (This would be a great way to make Princess Leigha buns at Halloween).

If you have long hair, braids are a great way to hide a bad hair day. Even a messy braid can look quite nice. I love this Italian Renaissance Braid because it it can hide slightly dirty hair and you get to wrap a ribbon around the braid to hid imperfections. I also like braided style because my hair refuses to do a ponytails or bun without creating a halo of frizzies and flyaways that nothing will tame.

We featured this video in a round-up post a while ago, but the styling process is actually a cute style for a casual day. Plus, you'll get great curls when you go out at night.

Do you have any other go to style for a bad hair day? What about easy styles for those days you just don't want to deal with your hair?

Colorful Bags for Summer

2012-05-22T08:30:00.001-04:00

I'm still on a bit of a neutral dress kick. Not just white but also nude, black and grey. Don't worry! I'm not swearing off color. I'm excited about bright accessories, purses especially. So let's shop Endless.

turquoise and yellow shoulder bag, BCBGeneration "Charlie" $88
sunset floral hobo, Lucky $199
mint satchel shopper, Fossil $188

yellow and purple colorblock shoulder bag, Hobo International $183.40
baby blue and metallic cutout, Ivanka Trump $175
pink colorblock crossbody bag, Big Buddha $74.95

green and turquoise flower tote, Mar Y Sol $98

striped satchel, Juicy Couture $198
paisley tote, Hadaki $120
orange and marine blue colorblock bag, Melie Bianco $81.24

Love or Loathe: Body Con

2012-05-21T09:27:00.001-04:00

Body conscious clothing seems like a thing for fitness enthusiasts and teenagers who haven't finished puberty. Not that they don't look good in the dresses, but most women aren't chomping at the bit to have clothing show all their curves and bumps. I've read that Herve Leger dresses are worth every penny because the construction of the clothing sucks and smooths the figure like full-body Spanx, but the jersey knits available in most stores seems to create shapes that didn't exist before. (I've tried on such clingy knits more than once and exclaimed, "Those aren't my thighs!") So while this dress pictured is pretty, how do you feel about body con clothing in particular?

Project Design: I Watch Too Much TV

2012-05-18T08:30:00.000-04:00

The TV season has come to an end, and I find myself scrambling to watch everything on Hulu before it expires. The problem is I watch a little too much TV. A lot of the shows I watch are just background while I'm working on other things, but I still manage to get invested in the characters. Which of these TV-inspired fashion finds gets your top rating?

New Girl "I Rock A Lot Of Polka Dots" Tote by lalunedesigns

Cougar Town Jules-Inspired Wrap Around Necklace by bijouxbydesif

Parks and Recreation "I Heart Ron Swanson" Ring by lofteddesigns

Community Inspector Spacetime Tee by IntarsiaDesign

The Big Bang Theory Soft Kitty Reversible Necklace by TheCOVENCafe

2 Broke Girls Caroline-Inspired Bead Bib Necklace by Karenda

How I Met Your Mother "Suit Up" Cufflinks by JonTurner

30 Rock "Blerg!" Bracelet by ShopTheCopperFox

Doctor Who Tardis Purse by krukrustudio

poll by twiigs.com

Etsy Shop of the Week: Mesa Dreams

2012-05-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

Shop: Mesa Dreams

Why We Love It: The daughter of a leatherworker, this Colorado-based Etsian is carrying on the family trade. She creates stamped leather accessories from belts to bracelets to luggage tags to dog collars. Her designs are classic and beautifully crafted with a playful side. She also offers a lot of customizable items and takes custom orders. My favorite item are custom leather cuff bracelet, the leather barrettes, and the leather medical alert bracelets. I think they're much cuter than the traditional kind. On top of crafting classic accessories from durable leather, the prices are affordable.

Price Range:$8 - $69

Links: Facebook / Etsy Shop for Paintings / Etsy Shop for Product Photography

Favorite Items: $

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/collection.embed?.embedder=1224830&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;.svc=copypaste&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;id=1550828&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;include_gallery=1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;num_items=1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;render_type=slideshow"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;View this collection on Polyvore&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Etsy Shop of the Week: Mesa Dreams by fashionbeccafabulous on polyvore.com

Pictured: Leather Earrings $34; Blue Jean Look Belt $45; Leather Barrette $12; Leather Medical ID Buckle Bracelet $25; Not All Who Wander Are Lost Bracelet $22; Leather Medical ID Thin Band Bracelet $15; Design Your Own Leather Cuff Bracelet $18 (also pictured above)

How To Wear Tangerine

2012-05-17T08:10:00.001-04:00

Stay warm Orange is a warm color as thus looks great with red and yellow. It's a bold color combination, but it's oh so summer.

Citrus Summer by fashionmefabulous

Keep cool Contrast bright orange with cool colors like green, purple and blue.

Tangerine Tangos with the Cool Side by fashionmefabulous

Ice cold Pastels are big this season. Bring them out of the pale with a citrus pop.

Pastel with an Orange Pop by fashionmefabulous

Earthy For neutrals, I prefer brown to black. Black and orange can run the risk of being too Halloween, but even bright orange takes on a grounded feel with earth tones.

Tangerine and Earthtones by fashionmefabulous

Seeing Red (Tops)

2012-05-16T11:00:00.000-04:00

About two years before we started Fashion Me Fabulous, Jael Paris evaluated my wardrobe and banned me from buying any more basic black. She was right--the color dominated my closet save a few dashes of blue and pops of red. I took her advice. I reintroduced pink into my world, went plum crazy (seriously I lose control in the presence of purple), grew an unhealthy green obsession, took teal to a new obsession level, and began to despair when a pair of shoes only came in black.

Pictured: (l to r)
Basket Weave Tee, Anthropologie, $48 (also in white, brown, yellow)
Shirred Polka Dot Tank, Lord & Taylor, $28.99 (also in navy)
Origami Pleat Tee, Antropologie, $34.95 (also in aqua, moss green, black, magenta)
Ruffled Sleeveless Top, Lord & Taylor, $15.89 (also in orange, hot pink, white)

Then something happened (well, that something was unemployment), and my wardrobe stagnated. For interviews and freelance gigs I replaced black basics as they wore out. Black is professional, versatile and the best bang for my buck. I mixed it up with a little grey and purple (my favorite neutral), but that's all I could do. As my rainbow of clothes grew old, I had to let them go. My pops of color are subject to the whims of the clearance rack.

Pictured: (l to r)
Cut-out Shoulder Top, Forever 21, $9.80
Doman Sleeve Top, Nordstrom, $48 (also in red, blue, green, magenta)
Slub Knit Tunic, Forever 21, $17.80
Basic Sleeveless Tee, Mango, $19.99 (also in petal pink, navy)

Sunday, I envisioned the cutest outfit, but I couldn't put it together. It relied on red top, and all I could find in my closet was one red cami with the hem coming out and a red blouse so pilled and faded I moved it to the "painting clothes" stash. Red has always been a favorite of mine and I can't believe I don't have any of it left. (I do have two dresses, but they aren't the most versatile). Now I just need to pick which red tops I'll add to my closet. (I've also listed the other colors options for each top in case you have a different color void in your wardrobe).


Pictured: (l to r) Eyelet Trim Top, Target, $24.99 (also in turquoise, white, navy) Racerback Colorblock Tank, Target, $17.99 (also in grey/yellow, blue/green, black/white) Linen Cargo Tee, Madewell, $49.50 (also in white) Slim-fit Button Down, Mango, $39.99 (also in white, blue, black, petal pink)

Love or Loathe: Strapless

2012-05-16T08:30:00.002-04:00

This dress has chairs printed on it.
Of course, it's from Mod Cloth.

Prom was this last weekend, and my youth gives gave it an overwhelming rating of meh. Mostly, they spent the evening avoiding girls who were in tears about various catastrophes both real and perceived. One such incident involved a rather well-endowed girl exuberantly dancing in a strapless dress which then fell off.

Ah, memories.

I'm a big fan of straps. I don't need to worry about losing my clothes when I have actual problems to think about like what to make for dinner, how can I get rid of this migraine, and my boss wants us to do what now. However, I do own a few strapless dresses. Two have built in bras and fit tightly enough around my chest that a child pulling on my hem couldn't budge them. The third was a bridesmaid's dress and since I couldn't buy a top as tight as I wanted while still leaving room for my hips, I wore a super-padded bra to fill the gap and help in the case of a dancing mishap.

Do you like strapless dresses? They can look quite striking, especially in the summer. Do you not like them for fear of losing them or do you loathe anything that may require a special bra?

Pick of the Week: Gear Ring

2012-05-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

I recently saw this gear ring in person when one of my brother's friends showed it to me. It isn't just a ring with gear decorations. These gears work! I have never seen a piece of jewelry that is so fun to play with (and I always play with my jewelry). I don't know if I could actually wear this ring because I would never do anything but spin it. Watch the video to see how it works. Also, the video shows it as a men's ring, but I saw it on a woman's hand. It looks equally cool on either gender and makes a unique gift for any and all mechanically minded people. (F.Y.I. Father's Day is next month, and lots of people are graduating with mechanically-inclined degrees). The Kinekt Gear Ring is made of stainless steel and sells for $165.

Party Dresses Under $50 for Wedding Season

2012-05-15T08:10:00.001-04:00

A couple weeks ago I featured some dresses to wear to weddings, bridal showers and even dates. The dresses I picked out today are not only under $50 but are also a bit more casual. With the right shoes and accessories, they can work for a wedding or for a summer picnic.

Top: yellow gingham strapless dress, ASOS $43.49
berry jersey and chiffon dress, Macy's $49.99
floral sun dress, Old Navy $34.94
Bottom: neon pink shirt dress with navy trim, Forever 21 $24.80
purple bell sleeve dress, Victoria's Secret $ 39.99
lace halter dress, Forever 21 $22.80

The Horror: I Question Your Taste, Sir

2012-05-14T09:40:00.003-04:00

Most ridiculousness from the Met Ball went on our Facebook page, but this one is so horrific, it deserves its own post.

Just look at Marc Jacobs. I've never minded any of his skirts, but this is a lace dress with black socks and pilgrim shoes. It's like he raided his grandmother's closet for this get-up. He couldn't put a liner in it either? Were a waxed chest and white boxers really his best options? It's just -- I can't --- Oh, my head.

This Week on Fashion Me Fabulous

2012-05-12T15:11:00.000-04:00

Out to Sea by fashionmefabulous featuring oasis shoes

Review: We take a look at the looks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Gala 2012 and The Shops at Target.

Vote: What is your packing plan for out of town weddings? Choose your favorite swimsuit in Project Design.

Shop: Try on Tangerine Tango, the color of 2012. Get cute, comfy flats that fit. Nab this nice knot necklace from Colorblindsmarties on Etsy.

Project Design: Going Swimmingly

2012-05-11T08:30:00.000-04:00

Like it or not, it's swimsuit shopping season--the time to nab the cute suit before they are gone and find a fun suit before it's too late to wear it. If you want to skip the shops and order a custom suit, Etsy is the place to look. Which of these splendid suits suit you best?

Stripes & Polk Dots High Waisted Bikini by meshalo

Abigale Bow-eautiful One-Piece Swimsuit by CollectiveHearts

Paris Tankini with Boy Shorts by PersonaSwim

Long Ruffle Bikini Top by LoveLucyBea

Tuxedo Suit by FablesbyBarrie

Regency Paisley Bandeau High Waist Bikini by Harajuku

The Barbie Striped Suit by TaniThompson

Fifi Pink Ruffled Swimsuit by VintageSuitsbyMary

poll by twiigs.com

Etsy Shop of the Week: Colorblindsmarties

2012-05-10T11:00:00.000-04:00

Shop: Colorblindsmarties

Why We Love It: This Etsy shop only offers one item, the knot necklace. It's simple, classic and chic. It will never go out of style, and it comes in a variety of colors so you can pick one to suit your wardrobe. I love classic things like this because they are the sorts of pieces that can become signatures. You can wear it with anything because it doesn't overwhelm, but it does stand out.

Price Range: $41.29

Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter

Favorite Items: Navy $41.29 (pictured); Emerald $41.29; Coral $41.29; Tan $41.29

Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Gala 2012

2012-05-10T08:22:00.006-04:00

Since the Met Ball is the kick-off for an annual costume exhibit, I feel the red carpet looks should be judged according to the theme. This year's theme examines the relationship between the work of two towering women in Italian fashion: Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada. Thus the clothes should be whimsical, nerdy, surreal and slightly girly. They should neither be elegant nor sex pot. Let's see how people did.

<p>&amp;lt;a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/collection.embed?.embedder=133977&amp;amp;.svc=copypaste&amp;amp;id=1536028&amp;amp;include_gallery=1&amp;amp;num_items=1&amp;amp;render_type=slideshow"&amp;gt;View this collection on Polyvore&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;</p>

Met Ball 2012 Top Picks by fashionmefabulous

Check out our facebook for more coverage of the Costume Institute Gala, including looks we found less than fab.