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Fast Fashion: Forever 21 Jewelry Picks

styleitonline@gmail.com (Sarah Conley Media Properties) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:11:55 PDT

Vintage Contrast Earrings $3 - Forever 21

Jeweled Medallions Necklace $6 - Forever 21

Chelsea Satin Headband $4 - Forever 21

Filigree Flowers Necklace $10 - Forever 21

Glistening Bow Hairclips $8 - Forever 21

Pretzel Knotted Bracelet $6 - Forever 21

Vintage Pleat Side Ring $3 - Forever 21

Aaliyah Chandelier Earrings $3 - Forever 21

Do You Think Drop Dead Diva Is A Drop Dead Loser?

styleitonline@gmail.com (Sarah Conley Media Properties) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:17:33 PDT

I really, really try to give "fat tv" the benefit of the doubt. The Biggest Loser - not for me. Dance Your Ass Off - surprisingly adorable. Drop Dead Diva? I say drop dead loser.

Sounds harsh, I know. My biggest point of complaint with the show is that the main character, a size 00 reincarnated as a size 16, is riddled with stereotypes. Why am I watching Margaret Cho's character squirt Cheese Wiz down her throat as a calming agent "that's better than xanax!"? Of course her entire office wardrobe consists of black & white Lane Bryant clothing described as "stretchy and comfortable". I haven't even touched on her glee at an entire plate of donuts, a hostile chocolate craving takeover, multiple mentions of hot flashes due to her "metabolism" and her addiction to self help books.

Television has one chance to hook a viewer. After watching the pilot episode of Drop Dead Diva, I can guarantee I won't be watching again. I don't care if the main character learns to love being a size 16 or stops having hot flashes by lowering her metabolism. Offending your empathizers isn't any way to build an audience.

I want to know - what did you think of Drop Dead Diva?

AKDMKS Summer 2009 Collection

styleitonline@gmail.com (Sarah Conley Media Properties) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:14:12 PDT

I don't cover a lot of streetwear here on Style IT, which is kind of a shame considering my Brooklyn neighborhood has a very large streetwear loving population. Daily I am surrounded by men and women embracing color, taking risks with prints and expressing themselves through a more vibrant form of self expression. I've really begun to appreciate my neighborhood's distinct sense of color, especially from men. They are unafraid to mix teal with pink or orange, and they love to coordinate.

With that being said, I am please to share with you the AKDMKS Summer 2009 collection. AKDMKS is known for their premium denim, which is reflected in the adventurous leopard print and acid washes you'll find below. The deisgns were influenced by Santigold and M.I.A. mixed with an appreciation for Japanese pop culture. AKDMKS founder Donwan Harrell says: “Music has always been a dominating influence for us. There are so many influences in street music - It doesn’t have to be hip-hop. It could be a great trombone player, or a rising underground DJ. If it has a progressive and authentic sound, then it’s hot; and we are into supporting it.”

AKDMKS Summer 2009 Collection can be purchased from 80sPurple.com. View the collection lookbook below.

Giorgio Armani Beauty Whisks You Away To The Meditterranean

styleitonline@gmail.com (Sarah Conley Media Properties) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:55:37 PDT

Giorgio Armani Meditterranean Palette $85 - Saks Fifth Avenue

Giorgio Armani Sienna Minerals Bronzing Palette $65 - Saks Fifth Avenue

Being half Italian, I can confidently say there are some things Italians do better. Meatballs (obviously), marinara sauce and bronzers. Call me crazy, but Giorgio Armani's bronzers might be the most luxe on the market.

To discuss the Sienna Minerals Bronzing Palette, you first need to lean back, close your eyes and imagine the Mediterranean sun on your face. Your vacation has given you the most glowing complexion imaginable. This palette is amazing on sunkissed skintones, extending the life of your vacation glow. The brown tones are the same shade as the bronzer in the Mediterranean palette mixed with a sunny golden yellow and an orange shimmer kissed with red pearl. For medium shades with yellow undertones, you might actually hear angles sing down as you open the compact.

For those more fair (like me), I recommend you check out the Mediterranean palette. The bronzer in the bottom pan may appear a rich cocoa brown. However for those lacking deeper pigmentation or the ability to visit the Italian Riviera, this shade actually provides a more natural looking tan than most orange based bronzers. The best part is that this shade does not require a heavy hand. A little goes a long way.

The top pan holds four eyeshadows: a light seafoam, a deep teal, a glittery gold and a rich brown. These aren't the most intensely pigmented shades (mostly because 3 of the 4 are more glitter based) however they do create dazzling looks that transport you pool side. They work well when paired with the bronze shades in the bronzer and are best used as a subtle wash of color on the lid.

All in all, if you're looking to treat yourself to an inexpensive Riviera vacation or a luxurious yet compact palette, I say give these a shot. Armani beauty has created a solid, wearable and flattering Summer collection you'll wish you could wear come August.

Two Steps To Complexion Perfection

styleitonline@gmail.com (Sarah Conley Media Properties) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:29:01 PDT

sarah

MAC Pro Invisible Set Powder - MACPRo.com

M·A·C 'Prep Prime' Transparent Finishing Powder $21 - Nordstrom

The warmer the weather gets, the less cakey layers I want on my face. It took me a few tries to get the perfect combination, but when I did I felt as if I hit the jackpot.

When applying makeup, the golden rule is cream applied to cream and powder applied to powder. Here's how I navigate my layers.
1: Apply foundation
2: Apply color correcting concealer and then cream concealer
3: Set concealer only with MAC's Prep & Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
4: Apply any other cream products
5: Set face with MAC Pro's Invisible Set Powder
6: Apply face powder products
7: When all makeup has been applied, finish look with MAC's Prep & Prime Transparent Finishing Powder. Voila!

This may sound like a lot of layers, but the magical thing about both these powder products is that they are undetectable. They may seem similar, but they do vastly different things. MAC Pro's Invisible Set Powder does just that - it sets cream products perfectly and invisibly. MAC's Prep & Prime Transparent Finishing Powder is similar to Make Up For Ever's HD Powder in that they both utilize silicone technology to fill pores and fine lines, except in my opinion the MAC product is vastly superior. MUFE's HD Powder slipped right off my oily skin, while MAC's Prep & Prime easily gives that airbrushed effect.

The biggest difference between the MAC products is the actual product size. MAC's Prep & Prime powder is a mere 9 grams compared to the Invisible Set's monstrous 30 grams.

I want to know - what powder products are you currently using?

Buy This Now: LAMB Orissa Clutch

styleitonline@gmail.com (Sarah Conley Media Properties) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:25:16 PDT

Leighton Meester carried the L.A.M.B. Orissa clutch yesterday on the set of Gossip Girl in Soho. That's what I call fast fashion!

L.A.M.B. Women's Darjeeling Leather Orissa Clutch $275 - Bloomingdale's

L.A.M.B. Darjeerling Orissa $279 - Zappos Couture

Jones New York Holiday Preview With Lloyd Boston

styleitonline@gmail.com (Sarah Conley Media Properties) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:48:21 PDT

Last night I attended the Jones New York Holiday Preview with style expert and Style Miles host Lloyd Boston. He walked us through his favorite pieces from the collection and gave us tips on how to wear each.

For the blazer at left, Lloyd recommends wearing it during the day with a skinny pink belt - "It's more unexpected for day. At night, everyone expects you to wear a blazer to dinner."
He believes that most pieces of clothing can be translated for different generations with a bit of styling.
Smaller waistbands on dress pants are back this season - and much more flattering. They don't create that "pooch" effect.
Several dresses & cardigans he recommended wearing with black tap shorts, tights and ankle boots.
For something a little unexpected, try chocolate brown. For one of Lloyd's favorites, try a chocolate brown sweater dress, leggings and riding boots with a solid orange handbag. "Maybe a bracelet and you're done!"

Wise words from a man who knows how to put a stunning outfit together. What are you wanting to wear for Fall?

Shop the latest from Jones New York now - be sure to check out Lloyd Boston on JNY's Style Miles.

Will You Watch The New Season Of Project Runway?

styleitonline@gmail.com (Sarah Conley Media Properties) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:05:42 PDT

The new season of Project Runway premieres on Lifetime August 20th at 10 pm EST. There has been a lot of turmoil surrounding the show's move to Lifetime and Bravo's attempt at spawning a new breed of 'Fashion Show'. I'm curious if all the drama and the channel change will keep you watching?

Leanne Marshall's Collection For Bluefly

styleitonline@gmail.com (Sarah Conley Media Properties) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:35:34 PDT

BloggingProjectRunway asks the tough questions - how the collection was made, if cost was an issue, and how she kept it signature.

Leanne Marshall & Kelly Cutrone chat about everything you need to know about the eco-friendly collection.

View the pieces in the gallery below or shop it now at Bluefly.com/Leanne. Snag it now while it's 20% off!

MAC Colour Craft Collection

styleitonline@gmail.com (Sarah Conley Media Properties) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:40:57 PDT

Colour Craft is all about making it your own…perfection as The Muse intended. This unprecedented assortment of Mineralize Skinfinish shades work it out beautifully, with three new mosaic combinations: Triple Fusion, Smooth Merge, Warm Blend; or simply singular one-shade Sunny By Nature, just Porcelain Pink, or rich Cheeky Bronze. 130 Duo Fibre Brush with built-in short natural fibres AND longer optic fibres all-in-one comes together as the ultimate Artist’s tool for sleek shading and haute highlighting.

A sensibility that surpasses expectations with inventive new Mineralize Eye Shadow pinwheel designs that combine new hues in modern, neo-geo ways; Lipglass gets a lift too, now with three shades swirled to create a one-of-a-kind marble finish delivered in a new, sleek vial. The small but seriously artful 109 and 226 Brushes are musts… add the newest colour sensations in complementary Lipstick, Mineralize Eye Shadow and Mineralize Blush, and any glamorous gallery will go gaga to give you your own one-woman show!