The Long And The Short Of It

On June 11, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Nordstrom Rack, Outfit Ideas7 Comments

I love shorts, but truth be told, the majority of the shorts in my closet have always been some form of denim or another, and the majority of those have had cut off hems-which is great for summer, and might I add practical (yes, practical). But now that shorts have taken on a whole new meaning and are a must-have summer fashion staple, I knew that in preparation for warmer weather I had to reassess and add some pieces to my wardrobe that could be worn with sky-high heels or in lieu of a skirt.

Featherweight Sweater: JCrew (recent)

Purple Sateen City Shorts: JCrew (recent)

Yellow Bubble Necklace: JCrew via eBay

Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Bracelets: H&M, Forever21, Tiffany and Co.

Shoes: Steve Madden via DSW

There are so many fun options out there when it comes to shorts-from bright solid colors, to fun tribal patterns, to sweet lace versions, I guarantee there is a style out there for everyone. And while I won’t be giving up my cut-off denim shorts any time soon (and you shouldn’t either!), I am happy to add some of these fun, dressier options to my wardrobe-it’s always good to change things up a bit!!

Happy Monday!!

Favorite Product Friday: bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lip Color

On June 8, 2012June 8, 2012 By all dolled upIn Favorite Products1 Comment

We all know colored lips are all the rage right now. From hot pink, to orange, to red, lips have become a fun vehicle to add a pop of color to any ensemble. And because I am a gloss girl (you can read about my adoration for Chanel lip gloss here) and always tend to gravitate towards a nude, glossy lip, this has been a hard trend for me to embrace-and not based on look (I love wearing a bright lip), but rather on comfort (I hate how drying lipstick can be!). That said, I have tried several lipsticks, specifically MAC and L’Oreal, based on my favorite fashion magazine and blogger recommendations, but I didn’t fall in love with any of them. So when a consultant at the bareMinerals counter recently tried to convince me to try their new Pretty Amazing lip color, I agreed-solely because I was sold on the gorgeous shade of red she was offering.

And boy am I glad that I gave it try! This product absolutely lives up to its name. It is a hybrid between a gloss and a lipstick so while it has a fully pigmented color, it isn’t drying, and has the creamy texture of a gloss but it isn’t sticky. The precision applicator allows for you to apply without a lip liner (which is how I use it) and its staying power is down right impressive. Plus the colors are vibrant and beautiful. Pretty Amazing, right?

So if you are looking to try a bright lip for the first time, or if you are looking to try a new product, this is the one ladies. Strength (red), Ambition (fuchsia), and Moxie (baby pink) are my favorite shades as far as brights go, but they have some fantastic nude and neutral shades as well. Plus they look great when you layer a gloss over them. Chanel is still my number one choice for gloss, but I also like the bareMinerals Moxie and Buxom glosses too.

Tip: I put on chapstick (yes, I am 5 and still use Lip Smackers) before I apply anything to my lips, whether it be a gloss or a lipstick. It helps the product go on more evenly, and makes it more comfortable on the lips thus extending the wear.

Summer is the perfect time to rock those bright lips, and now that you have insight to such a great product, there is no excuse not to try this hot trend-so get out there and dress up those beautiful kissers!!

Happy weekend dolls!!

P.S. Let me know if you have any questions or if there is a specific product or part of my beauty routine that you would like me to blog about on Favorite Product Friday. 🙂

I Heart Chevron

On June 7, 2012June 7, 2012 By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas4 Comments

I love Chevron. It is such a cute, fun, modern print and works well in so many mediums from decor to handbags to clothing. So when I saw this sequin, cold-shoulder, chevron top-all things I’m currently a sucker for-I knew it would be a fantastic addition to my closet and a great piece to dress up or down. In fact, I can’t wait to wear it with my white shorts now that the weather is warmer!!

Chevron Top: INC via Macy’s (recent)
Skinnies: Gap
Shoes: Jessica Simpson via 6pm (sold out)
Feather Earrings: Local Boutique, The Icing (I like to layer feather earrings for a bolder look)
Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack
Bracelets: Forever21, Macy’s, Tiffany and Co.

So if you don’t own something Chevron, make it your mission this weekend to add this fun print to your life. You could pick up or make a quick piece of art (see the DIY Chevron canvas I made here), add a great top or handbag to your wardrobe, or even a chair, rug, duvet cover, or throw to a space in need of a mini-makeover. And if you are feeling especially ambitious, you could even paint an accent wall with a Chevron shadow stripe. How fun is that? I know that when J and I decide to add a baby Doll to our family, there will most definitely be a chevron stripe in the nursery!! So whatever your preference, embrace chevron in some capacity this weekend. Big or small-you won’t be sorry!!!!

Strawberry Banana

On June 5, 2012June 5, 2012 By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas4 Comments

We’ve already established that I LOVE color. However, since I started writing this blog, I have noticed (among many other things) that I definitely tend to gravitate towards more vibrant and saturated hues. I don’t own a lot of pastels and am never particularly drawn to them-BUT there are certain occasions where I can’t think of anything that would be more appropriate. And the two occasions that stand out in my mind above all others are wedding and baby showers-something about the softness of pastels just seems to lend itself perfectly to these types of events.

We had a surprise wedding luncheon for one of my co-workers this week and while it was a little casual for a dress, I still wanted an outfit appropriate for the occasion and thought it would be fitting to break out my favorite new pink jeans and pair them back to a pale yellow top complete with nude heels. A soft and sweet look perfect for such a casual celebration and a little reminiscent of strawberries and bananas. 😉

Sunglasses: Calvin Klein via Macy’s Sunglass Hut (recent)

Yellow Ruffle Top: Forever21 (recent)

Pink Jeans: The Limited (recent)

Nude Pumps: Steve Madden via Overstock.com

Necklaces: Tiffany and Co., and my own personal collection of charms

Watch: Michael Kors via Macy’s

Bracelets: Tiffany and Co.

Diamond Cocktail Ring: Macy’s

Truth be told, I don’t wear a lot of accessories during the work week. I steer clear of a lot of arm candy since it clanks around on my desk and computer, and really limit the amount of jewelry I wear in general because a) it takes a lot of effort for me that early in the morning and b) I feel like less is more when it comes to a professional environment. Plus, I like the idea of feeling like my weekend and date night outfits are extra special compared to what I am wearing to work day in and day out.

P.S. I used my favorite new Instagram filter for this post-1977. I just love how these pictures remind me of photos of my mom when she was young in the summertime.

Impromptu Date Night

On June 4, 2012 By all dolled upIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Even though we have basically finished remodeling our entire home, it seems that there is still a never ending list of projects that need to be done. So after a long Saturday spent painting and doing chores, J and I decided that we wanted to savor what was left of the gorgeous day and enjoy a nice dinner out on a patio somewhere. So with that, we settled on a little place called Pago-small and quaint with delicious farm-to-table food and a sweet outdoor dining area perfect for such a balmy night. And apparently Ty Burrell (Phil Dunphy) had the same idea, as he was seated at the table right next to us. 🙂

Because our date was sort of an impromptu affair and I didn’t have a whole lot of time to get ready, I ended up putting my hair up into the ever popular sock bun, and threw on a really easy (and comfy) silk color block dress, then topped off the look with fun accessories-my spike heels and a pair of feather earrings paired with some super long chain earrings that I can’t get enough of!! It was a look that felt just right for the evening and one of the easiest date night outfits I have thrown together in quite some time. And not only that, but I managed to cover up the stubborn white paint leftover on my legs and arms from the day’s earlier project.

Dress: Forever21 (recent)

Earrings: Aldo, TJMaxx (recent)

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC

Watch: Michael Kors via Macy’s

Bling Ring: Macy’s

Bracelets: Macy’s, Old Navy, Forever21, Tiffany and Co.

Spike Heels: Simply Vera Vera Wang via Khol’s

I am a huge fan of Forever21 but know that it can be a very overwhelming store to shop. However, there are a couple of tricks to follow to help you avoid the poorer quality merchandise so you can take advantage of the good stuff. One specific trick I have found to help me navigate Forever21 is to look at the fabric content on the tags of some of the seemingly nicer garments. The dress that I am wearing in this post is silk and was under $30-which is a pretty tough find to beat. And there are actually a lot of gems like this scattered throughout the store if you just take a little time to seek them out-which of course is challenging, but definitely well worth it in the end.

Happy Monday everyone!

Favorite Product Friday: Skinny Belts!!!!

On June 1, 2012June 1, 2012 By all dolled upIn Favorite Products, Outfit Ideas, Uncategorized6 Comments

Since this was a short week (which by the way felt like one of the longest weeks EVER), and I only got around to one true outfit post, I thought I would make this Friday’s Favorite Product post a bit of a hybrid. That said, today I want to talk about skinny belts.

I have never been a huge belt person, but because of my obsession with TLC’s What Not to Wear, Clinton Kelly planted a little bug in my ear many years ago: you always want to accentuate the smallest part of your waist. Seemingly a no brainer, but tougher than you would think given the current trends-all those long, flowy tops which are not particularly easy to wear. But about a year and a half ago, I discovered J’s Everyday Fashion and noticed she was putting belts back to just about every outfit and a little light went off in my head. What better way to accentuate the smallest part of your waist than with a belt??? Duh!! At that moment, I started collecting belts here and there and find that I now wear them all the time. And not only are they a great way to feel thinner by accentuating your waist, but because they are available in so many colors and styles, they are a fabulous accessory and a great way to add a pop of color to any outfit.

Striped Top: H&M (recent)

Skirt: BCBGMaxazria (last summer)

Sunnies: Guess via TJMaxx

Earrings: The Icing (recent)

Necklace: Basil the Cat via Etsy

Pink Skinny Belt: Cotton On (recent)

Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Shoes: Overstock.com (old and cute, but horribly uncomfortable) 😦

You can also check out some other examples of how to wear skinny belts here, here, here, here, and here.

One word of caution. Be careful of the width of the belt. Sometimes the wider the belt, the less it does for your figure. I find that skinnier belts seem to work better and be more flattering. But have fun and play around with them to figure out how to make belts best work for you. Just remember to make sure you accentuate the smallest part of your waist to achieve the most flattering look!!

Happy weekend and Happy June!!!!