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Fashion Week with Elle & Blair - Day 1

2011-09-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

Fall fashion is going to be so simple to glide in to since pretty, flouncy, and colorful pieces from summer are still in. The only work (or fun!) you have is simply accessorizing them in the right way to seamlessly transition from Summer to Autumn. No one will ever suspect that you're wearing your favorite maxi dress you were sneaking out every chance you got for the last few months!

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The Cateye With A Twist Tutorial

2011-09-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

Be the first to wear the fiercest runway trend of fall. It's a modern twist of a cateye, with the classic look of a wing and a modern twist of geometry! Click the button below to learn this easy look.
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Pretty Little Liars Series: Aria Montgomery Style Guide

2011-09-02T22:38:00.000-07:00

Pretty Little Liars fan favorite, Aria Montgomery, has the most sought after wardrobe of all the little liars. Her girly fashion sense is spiced up with edgy pieces that look flawlessly worked in. Click the button below to see an Aria inspired style guide.

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Beginners Guide to Makeup Brushes: Face Edition

2011-08-28T05:48:00.000-07:00

With so many makeup brushes on the market, it's hard to choose which ones will be beneficial to you, personally. In this beginners guide I've included the uses of different face brushes, whether it's an absolute necessity or if you could wait to try it out, and if you should save or splurge on each brush. To see the full guide just click the button below and enjoy!
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Pretty Little Liars Series: Spencer Hastings Style Guide

2011-08-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

Spencer Hasting's style is a little bit equestrian, mixed with vintage staples, polished with classic cuts, and totally one-of-a-kind. Click the button below to see her complete style guide!Read More...

Give In To Peer Pressure: Start Smoking

2011-08-22T22:10:00.000-07:00

It's safe to say Fall is full of intense statement pieces, so why not include your eyes? Smokey eyes have been around for years, so it's time to try something new: cool colored cat eyes. I've included a tutorial and a few eyeshadow suggestions, so click the button below if you dare to live on the wild side.
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Review: Does Your Perfume Make You Feel Madly In Love?

2011-08-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

Lovestruck by Vera Wang is described as "a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, it's all about Vera's interpretation of being madly in love." Vera Wang's Princess has always been my signature scent, but I'm willing to say this may be my new addiction. Click the button below to read more about the scent! Read More...

Review: Olsenboye - Affordable & Chic

2011-08-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

I typically slack on the review part of my blog, but I wanted to feature this collection since I'm more than obsessing over it. If you haven't heard of it yet, it's Olsenboye by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, a collection exclusively for JCPenney. The reason I chose to feature Olsenboye is because it's very affordable in-the-moment fashion with tons of different looks that you can mix and match. Plus, who isn't inspired by the Olsen twins' outrageous style that they somehow pull off impeccably? Keep in mind, this love of Olsenboye is coming from a person who typically skips JCPenney shopping spree, but when the pieces are inspired by traveling to different cities in different countries, observing what the most fashionable women of the world would be wearing, I can't resist. I chose a few of my favorite ensembles from the lookbook. Click the button below to see the collection, along with some of my favorites.Read More...

Pretty Little Liars Series: Hanna Marin Style Guide

2011-08-16T20:47:00.000-07:00

Pretty Little Liars is getting more and more intense as the summer finale slowly creeps up on us. Emily is still the focus of "A" with her cereal shock and scary spa visit. Aria and Ezra's relationship is ready for a new extreme, just in time for a rumor of romance between Spencer and Ezra, but at least Spencer looked stunning in a one-of-a-kind denim cutout shirt (just a side note: denim is huge for fall fashion, so take notes from Spencer, ladies!) Jenna is extra creepy, showing up places she shouldn't be and hanging out with Garrett, a part of the N.A.T. club that includes Jason and former member, Ian. On top of all this drama, Hanna has her own problems; she's the target of her evil stepsister-to-be after a bad horseback riding experience and a little embarrassing trash talk. If you haven't already, you'll have to get additional details from watching the episode because I don't post spoilers!Read More...

Catch the Wave

2011-08-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

Most trends that take over the red (or any other color) carpet aren't exactly appropriate for everyday life, but there is one popular style that looks lovely anywhere, anytime, and for any occasion. Side swept locks can look chic and polished or laid back and loose, depending on your style.Read More...

Pretty Little Liars Series: Emily Fields Style Guide

2011-08-09T21:07:00.000-07:00

Did you guys watch Pretty Little Liars tonight? It's undoubtedly getting more and more intense. With the steamy relationship heating up more and more between Aria and Ezra (and what's with Jason?), the tragedy between Hanna and Caleb, the detective work of Spencer (again...Jason!?), and of course, Emily's bizarre life and the soul target of "A" right now. Don't worry, I won't pour out any spoilers for those of you who didn't get a chance to catch it, but I will fill you in on some of Emily's style.

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Day 3: 3 Days of Emma - Style Guide

2011-08-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry for skipping a day in my 3 Days of Emma, but I've been very busy in my normal life and since I do a lot of drawings and go on fashion hunts (I've never used Polyvore in my posts) it takes a lot of time for just one post. I hope everyone understands. Plus, I never said it was three continuous days of Emma! Anyway, here's a style guide to the beautiful Emma Stone. Is it me, or does she always look smokin' cute...does that make sense? Haha.Read More...

Day 2: 3 Days of Emma - Hair Tutorial

2011-08-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

Emma's hair at the Friends with Benefits premiere was totally cute an unexpected. I love that she's a natural blonde that can rock red locks and make it look natural. I'll tell you how to get this cute and easy ponytail that can be worn to a dressy party or with a tee and jeans.
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Day 1: 3 Days of Emma - Makeup Tutorial

2011-08-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

Emma Stone is one of the top most successful actresses at the moment, wouldn't you agree? She's starring in three movies that will be in theaters this month: Friends with Benefits, Crazy, Stupid, Love, and, coming out August 10th, The Help. In honor of her great success, I will be doing a "3 Days of Emma" feature (one day for each movie!) Starting off is a makeup tutorial that will teach you one of Emma's signature looks. Enjoy!

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Hippie Style

2011-08-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

Bohemian style consists of lots of feathers, turquoise, stones, faded denim, vintage florals, espadrilles, and worn leathers. Matte and earthy are boho's best friends, so snatch them up while you can. The style is perfect for the transition from hot summer heat, to cool autumn breezes, just throw on a chunky sweater! What's your take on Boho Fashion?

Just A Quick Poll

2011-08-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

I usually don't do posts unless I have something informational to share, but I need to put up a quick poll to get your opinions. I've been making out my blog calendar for the month and I've decided I'm going to do a Pretty Little Liars feature every Tuesday, starting next week on the 9th. I'm not going to spoil and tell you exactly what the posts will be about, but if you're as obsessed with the series as I am, you'll have to keep an eye out for those!

My question to you is:

Thanks for voting! And don't forget to follow me so I can hold my 100 subscriber giveaway! Info is in the sidebar to the right.

Style Guide & DIY: Supporting-Make it About You

2011-07-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

Love is Louder, To Write Love on Her Arms, Keep A Breast, Delete...what do these words have in common? They're all organizations for a cause and they all use one of the same technique to quickly spread the word about their movement: they sell printed shirts!
We all love wearing our supportive tees for our favorite organizations, but there's only so many ways to wear a tshirt. I'll teach you how to spruce up your bland-shaped shirt and style it accordingly!

Demi's Shirt:
1. Be sure your shirt is on a flat surface
2. Cut out a wide collar
3. Use your seams as guidelines: cut from shoulder seam to shoulder seam, just under the collar.

Styling:
You now have a totally 80's inspired off-the-shoulder tee. You could wear it with just skinny jeans, but why not take it a step further? Find a cute destroyed denim vest to layer on top (try etsy.com, a lot of people make these themselves, and they're custom, so no two will be the same!) Pair with dark wash denim shorts, but avoid cutoffs or embellishments since you already have a lot going on up top! Sky high edgy wedges will finish this outfit and counter the boyish vest by making your legs look miles high and feminine. Finish with stacks of hardware inspired bracelets and chunky rings like this, this, this, and this. Avoid a busy torso by skipping necklaces and earrings.

Second Model's Shirt:
1. Cut the collar out of your shirt.
2. Cut the back of your tee up the middle
3. Cut 6" strips into either side of your shirt. It doesn't matter how many you have, as long as you have the same amount on both sides.
4. Put the shirt on and have a friend tie the strips together as tight as you like.
(Optional) Cut the sleeves off of your shirt and adjust the collar to a shape that suites you.

Styling:
Play up the tightness of your new knotted shirt with a ruffled floral mini skirt. Counter the casual shirt with some girly pumps that make your stems go on forever. Wear your favorite dainty jewelry and be sure to stick with thin chains and avoid over sized, chunky charms. Tip: silver jewelry works on paler skin with rose undertones, while gold jewelry highlights dark olive tones.

Third Model's Shirt:
1. Cut any number of vertical 8" strips all around the bottom of your shirt
2. Cut off every other strip
3. Double knot pairs strips together
4. For the next row, separate the strips from your knots and tie neighboring strips about three inches down.
5. Repeat
For example, if you only have four strips: 1, 2, 3, and 4, tie 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 together. Then separate and tie 1 & 4 and 2 & 3 together

Styling:
You now have a unique, bohemian inspired DIY shirt that people will definitely be asking about. Keep it casual with vintage faded cutoffs. Lace up sandals and espadrilles. look super earthy and keep you cool in warm weather. Accessorize with hippie jewelry like one feather earring and handmade bracelets

Let me know what you think! Would you like to see more celebrity-inspired models?

Strange Products?

2011-07-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

Marbled products are taking the cosmetic industry by storm in the form of eyeshadows, bronzers, and blushers, but are they more than just pretty presentation? The answer is yes! These products are fun because no two pans are exactly the same and with the medley of colors in each one, you never know what you're going to get. Too Faced's Shooting Star makes a beautiful smokey soot color that shimmers gold in the light, while Laura Geller's Blue Heaven comes out as a midnight blue with an icy lavender reflect. Keep in mind, depending on how much of each color is in your pan, the color could vary slightly. Since it's hard to tell the true color of each product, I would only recommend marbled products to experimental makeup enthusiasts who love trying any and every color and combination under the sun. My question to you guys is, would you try marbled products? Or would you rather stick to solid colors?
You can click my Marbled Flower to enlarge and see the products!)

Shorts Guide: Embrace Your Body

2011-07-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love taking the time to draw these models in my "how-to" guides. Today's topic is learning to relish your rump! And by relish, I don't mean the green pickly stuff you slather on your hotdog...

I have made a guide for girls that are curvy, straight, pear-shaped, and athletic. Without further ado, here's your guide to flattering your natural shape.
Curvy: The problem? Despite tons of girls wishing they had your curves, the fashion industry only sees one body type: "the stick." This means you have a beautiful shape that can prove difficult to work with, but you can't use fitted blazer to show off your angles at this time of year; you'd end up sweaty and look ridiculous! Low rise fits will make you look frumpy and disproportionate. To highlight your curves, wear higher rising shorts. It complements your natural hourglass shape instead of making your body look mismatched. Another secret is to wear shorts with pleats, which give you extra moving room.

Straight: Dressing a straight body can be frustrating because one of the essential parts of the female shape are hips. Without them, your figure can appear boyish, but with these tips, you'll get the fullness you've always dreamed of! Big, busy prints fool the eye into making things look bigger so this will remain true with your hips. Since most shorts aren't cut straight (they gradually get wider at the bottom) wearing low rise shorts will force the fabric to naturally flare out, away from your body. Just avoid wearing your shorts too low since this can give off the wrong impression.

Pear: Pear-shaped ladies tend to have an average figure everywhere except their hips and thighs. To slim things down and even out your shape, wear an a-line short. A-line means your shorts will be in the shape of a capital "A": they will fit your hips and flare out significantly wider at the bottoms. Avoid shorts that are too short because, instead of making your body blend, it will force all attention to your even wider hips. Vertical lines can help the eye flow up and down, rather than side to side. This will give you a straighter figure, but won't make you look like a pole!

Athletic: Athletic bodies look chiseled, but can't stay that way without hard work. Keep your sporty style at the gym and show off your girly side everywhere else. This will show that you're really into every aspect of your style, rather than letting it scream "I work out." Trust me, people will notice your toned body without help from athletic gear. Try to find a floral or bright print. It's okay to show off that definition you're proud of, but don't overdo it with denim daisy dukes. A better option is low-rise, flirty, short shorts.

Subscriber Giveaway

2011-07-22T10:34:00.000-07:00

I'm loving my blog so far and I hope everyone who sees my posts does as well!
In honor of you guys, I hope to do a giveaway in the near-ish future.
I'm thinking once I get either 100 or 150 subscribers, the giveaway will officially start. I've raised the bar a little high on followers because of the semi-luxury of the prize I'm choosing.

So I need help from you guys. What would you like to win in a giveaway? You can vote on any of the choices I've provided or make your own suggestions in the comments. I want to make sure the majority of my followers can agree on a prize that ANYONE would love winning.
I will probably do one or two follow up posts to show the new suggested prizes that you can vote on until we find the final product.

So here are some suggestions (just click the picture to enlarge):

Suggestion rules: Be sure to make reasonable requests. Clearly, I'm not giving away an Alexander Wang bag that costs thousands of dollars! Ha ha. Make sure your suggestion is more product or accessory based. Avoid things that come in sizes (rings, clothing, etc.) because a size 6 ring doesn't fit all of us! I know I would hate winning a size 6 ring because I'm a 7!

Rules & Disclaimer
1. If you vote "Betsey Johnson" or "Purses & Clutches," I will assume you mean the one pictured, unless otherwise stated in the comments. I will most likely post additional options in a followup post.
2. You must be a subscriber. If you don't subscribe, I won't be able to consider your suggestions and you can't be a part of the giveaway.
3. This giveaway isn't sponsored in any way by any of the companies listed, hence the vagueness of the prize.
4. I have the right to cancel for any reason. Remember, I am only human and potential issues may take place that would restrain me from holding the giveaway, but I'm 99% sure everything will go smoothly.
5. This IS for promotional purposes, to get my name out there.

The Bake That Doesn't Look Fake!

2011-07-21T18:52:00.000-07:00

Most of us have caught the fake bake bug at some point and, with hundreds of hues to choose from, it can be intimidating to choose the perfect product. When you build up the courage to test a product, the result is streaky, splotchy, and you've got a hideous tangerine glow that later leaves you with damaged skin from obsessively scrubbing every inch of your oompa loompa-tinged epidermis. That fake bake bug from before has evolved into a fake bake cockroach...ew. But no worries, this isn't an issue any longer and the solution isn't resorting to a skin damaging tanning salon that cost more than a great product.

Beautisol is a company that has built a reputation for providing the most natural faux bronze and they can back up their ratings with rewards from big names like Good Housekeeping, Today, and quite a few satisfied customers. The best part is, you'll never be left in the dark about how to properly apply your product. Beautisol tanning products are infused with something called "guide color" (so you know exactly where you've placed your lotion) and the company has provided multiple guides, tips, and videos instructing the appropriate application of their multiple lotions.

The Self-Tanning Lotion is available in Summer Glow(dark) and All Seasons Glow(light) and they give off minimal odor so they don't smell bad at all. The lotions are safe to apply whenever you have a free block in your schedule: whether that be in the morning, before tackling your day, or at night, right before bed, because your tan won't rub off on your clothes or your sheets. You even get full control of your tan since you can wash it off whenever you're pleased with the intensity of your color. If you have problematic skin, there's even more that this company can offer.

Need I Glow More? No, I mean, this is their line of Face Self-Tanners. They come formulated for either oily and problematic skin or dry and sensitive skin. If you have oily skin, the product is going to absorb the oil in your skin, making your face less acne prone and moisturizer is the key to hydrating your dry skin and doubling as an anti-aging agent.

There's also some pro's to self tanning, so forget the melanoma phobia and read on:
1. Sunkissed skin disguises dark circles and bags under your eyes, so spend more time on-the-go and enjoying your summer, rather than overdosing on your beauty sleep.
2. Self tanning lotions ensure even skin coverage, so you're not going to be as reliant on covering imperfections with foundation and cakey powders.
3. Although some sun exposure is required for natural vitamin D, sunless tanning will provide you with a gorgeous glow that can be covered sunscreen to avoid harmful UV rays and keep your skin healthy.

Credit: All photos are from Here

The Perfect (Hot!) Pink Pout

2011-07-20T00:51:00.000-07:00

Wow! Talk about a loud color statement. I think we can all agree that it would take a brave woman to rock this extreme color and I think these six celebrities did it flawlessly. The trick is to keep the rest of your makeup very subtle to showcase your "in your face" neon lips. Notice how all of them did a variation of a plain or smokey black cat eye.

You're going to need a lipstick that absolutely compliments your skin tone to pull this drastic look off, so here's a few inexpensive options to try out. If you decide to make this look your personal style staple (Nicki Minaj is an example,) then there's no harm in splurging on an even more amazing color.

Just a suggestion:
For fair skin, stick with more bright bubblegum colors.
For dark skin, try a warmer hot pink that is closer to red.
Clean up any stray lipstick with a foundation brush and a little concealer.

Still too crazy? Put a little lipstick on your finger and dab it on your lips. This will create a sheer effect so that once you're comfortable wearing the color like this, you can trying building up more color over time until your lips are full blown attention grabbers.

So tell me, who do you think wore the most perfect pink pout?

8 Different Beach Inspired Products and Tutorial (Includes 12 Special Tips!)

2011-07-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Even if you don't live on the coast, beachy makeup is always in for summer. I've suggested products that won't melt off your face or cake up in the most humid climates.
Plus I've included tips you've probably never heard about!

Instructions
First of all, make sure you use sunscreen formulated for your face and let it soak into your skin for at least 5 minutes before you start applying your makeup. Your sunscreen should be the appropriate level of SPF your skin requires. Make sure to read the ingredients and choose a product that is made with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Tip: If you learn anything from this post, I want it to be the fact that UV Radiation can cause skin cancer and premature aging if you don't take necessary precautions.
If you want addition information please visit the website for The Skin Cancer Foundation website.

Face:
Splurge: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 $42
Save: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer $10.49

This step is totally optional, but if you feel like you need a little coverage then opt for a tinted moisturizer rather than a liquid foundation that will slide off of your face.

Tip Instead of concealer, you can just apply additional layers of your moisturizer to problem areas.

Tip You don't have to apply coverage over your entire face. Just dab your tinted moisturizer on problem areas and blend it out!

Highlighting:
Splurge: Benefit Complexion Enhancer in Moon Beam $24
Save: Hard Candy Face & Body Luminizer in Doll Face Pink $8

Take a small amount of your highlight color on your fingers and distribute it on the parts of your face that light hits the most. These places include your t-zone (you may want to avoid this step if you feel like your skin already oily) and on top of your cheekbones, avoiding the soft tissue under your eyes. This will enhance these areas in the sunlight and make them look more dewy.

Tip Another spot to place your highlight is on your eyelids. This will brighten your eyes and keep you from feeling naked without eyeshadows that will crease when you sweat!

Tip The "T" area is on your forehead, down your nose, your cupids bow, and the top of your chin.

Tip Using the warmth of your fingers avoids the appearance of brush strokes and helps the product "melt" into your skin and look much more natural.

Cheeks and Lips
Splurge: Tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy $30
Save: E.L.F. All Over Color Stick in Persimmon $1

Tip To save money and cut down the amount of products you use, I've provided products that can be used on your lips AND cheeks.

Tip You can use my customized blush post to get the most flattering application for your face

Apply your product to your cheeks and blend out with your fingers
Apply the product to your lips just like you would with lipstick or lipgloss. The best part about cheek stains is the ability to apply the product lightly and build the color up to your preference.

Tip An optional step is to use a sheer gloss over your lips to make them look more juicy!

Tip Peachy pink colors tend to look more natural in sunlight and it's a great color for any skin tone!

Eyes
Splurge: BADgal Lash Mascara in Plum $19
Save: Hard Candy Ginormous Mascara in Purple Haze $4.80

Purple is a flattering color for all eyes, so why not use purple mascara? Don't worry, you won't look like a clown with your plum peepers because it appears almost black at first glance, but when the sun glares on your lashes, they'll look one-of-a-kind and beautiful.

Tip Try to avoid spider lashes by applying thin coats. Be sure to curl your lashes first so that they'll fan out and look fuller.

Tip If your lashes still don't look thick enough, try using a waterproof liner like Make Up For Ever's Waterproof Aqua Liner in Diamond Black Purple to draw a tight line close to your lashes.

I hope you enjoyed my beachy product selections! Thanks for reading and be sure to suggest your favorite summer products in the comments.

Your take on...

2011-07-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

Itty bitty and boxy...this is the crossbody bag. I've also heard them called satchels or messengers-so whatever you call them, they are definitely a noticeably popular staple piece of the year. What do you think of them?

I've put together this collection of my favorite crossbody bags.

Click the picture to enlarge.

I think these petite pouches are great for a day romping around town: it's small enough so that you can take a couple touch-up makeup products and a small wallet and the bag won't be in your way while you run your errands. Plus, it's stays snug to your body so it's one less thing to keep an eye on. Would you consider this a win win? Or do you think it's better to stick with normal sized purses to haul additional belongings? Leave any opinions as a comment, I'm interested in what everyone thinks.

Customized Blush Application

2011-07-18T19:12:00.000-07:00

My first post, how exciting! I'm beginning with quite an easy tutorial because I'm working on my blog layout and I still want all of you to be able to see what I'm working on. I'm so proud of this post & great things are to come, I promise. Let me know what you think and follow me for updates. Please feel free to ask questions, leave feedback, and make suggestions or requests, I don't bite!

I see a lot of girls wearing blush that just looks silly because they aren't aware of how they should properly apply their faux glow. Just because your guru applies her blush one way, doesn't mean she thinks you should apply yours using the exact technique. You should apply according to the shape of your face. That's why I've created this cheat sheet to help you get the perfect flush of color. (Aren't my models fierce? ha ha)

Click the picture to enlarge.

(The models are hand drawn and edited by me)