I love me a great party outfit for NYE. This past New Year’s Eve I wore a dress by Rodarte for Target and I must say that I couldn’t help but smirk when the cashier said, “Oh you must be one of those fashion groupies that follows the GO International Stuff…”
Color can be difficult to pull off but it is so much more fun than the LBD (Little Black Dress) which I always seem to find myself in. I have a set of colors that are in my “safe zone”. Gold and Fuchsia work well for me, but I’ll guarantee you will rarely see me in baby blue. Not. my. color. Along with my quick and easy outfit, I threw together a quick and easy updo. Quick and Easy seem to be life requirements for me lately. Here is the priced out outfit and a simple how-to on the updo.
First, it helps that I wore my hair in a messy bun at the top of my head all day. Putting my hair up creates a texture that my naturally straight hair cannot do on its own.
Next I used a teasing comb and hairspray to tease the top of my crown. I then started pulling sections (with my hands not a comb) twisting them into messy mini-buns on the back of my head and pinning with large bobby pins. Do not tuck in the ends of the buns, leave them out and frayed. If you’d like you can curl them with a large barreled curling iron. Once everything was pinned I pulled out two, one inch sections on each side of my head and braided. I placed the braids in place with bobby pins. This took me a total of 7 minutes.
You will most definitely see me in a similar look and updo at another event.
On January 2nd I kicked off the new year exploring one of LA’s greatest experiences, The Rose Bowl Parade. The day after the parade the public can view the floats up close in Pasadena. As a lover of design, color, flowers, etc this was the perfect place to find inspiration. I hope you enjoy my photos of these beautiful works of art.
Am I the only one that’s seen this GAP commercial and can’t get it out of my head??? I’ve been driving all over LA in my car chanting, “HOW CUTE ARE THESE BOOTS?!”
So in homage to the creative heads over at the GAP, I figured I’d take a look at their sister site Piperlime.com and check out “HOW CUTE ARE THESE BOOTS?!” under $100. I love that they have Rachel Zoe as some type of guest editor with certain shoes highlighted as “Rachel Zoe Pick”. I’m not quite part of the RZP (Rachel Zoe Project for those of you who are not avid Bravo watchers like me), but here are my picks:
Yes, this is really happening. I’m diving head first into video blogging. I thought my writer’s voice was bad, turns out my actual voice is pretty bad too. Hopefully you can bear to watch and listen to the video below about some great last minute Christmas gifts I found.
Wow, what a whirlwind few days I’ve had. I moved into a new place which was A LOT of work and please believe I’ll be living out of a tornado of boxes for the next few weeks. But on top of it all I’ve been feeling awful. Somehow I’ve managed to come out alive. I have a lot going on within the next few days leading into Christmas and New Years. When everything is crazy it’s nice to take a step back and see a space that is beautiful and inspiring. The other week I took some photos at a great Boba cafe in Little Tokyo called I <3 Boba. Oh yes, this is really happening. I’m shouting out a Boba spot. Anyone that knows me knows that I looooooove boba. But when I stopped into this spot full of electric colors and bold design I found it surprisingly calming. It’s definitely a bit much to make up your living room 100% like this but they incorporated some very fun, modern and inexpensive elements that my budget friendly soul appreciated.
Looking at all this funky, modern and clean design is making me dream of Tokyo. Since I can’t exactly jump on a plane and start Harujuku Lovers-ing it, here’s a nice video for us to escape with:
There will be a lot of STYLE updates in the coming days to prep for the busy holiday season. With the first candle of Hanukkah being lit this coming Friday and Christmas rolling around the corner we are going to need every bit of savings at our finger tips! I got another email from The Warehouse Sale (they email me more than my friends do, but I’m not complaining!) for one of their fabulous events in Los Angeles. What I’m looking forward to for this event is Smashbox Cosmetics…no offense Justin Timberlake (call me)! Pick up a few lip glosses, cheek stains and eyeshadow boxes to give to friends, roommates, co-workers and those other fabulous people you know who just aren’t cutting the top tier price range on your gift list.
I wore this outfit this past weekend running a flurry of errands and going to a number of events. It was so easy to transition from one place to another as well as stress-free on and off layering. Here are the places that helped keep this in budget:
A photo of my Minx Nails. You can choose to have all the same pattern but I figured, "Go big or go home."
The other week my nails got Minxed! And I was amazed at how beautiful and fun the result was. For those of you who have not heard of Minx nails you may have seen them on the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna and Katy Perry. It’s a professional nail application of a thin film being heat activated to your actual nail. Lucky for me I had the chance to have TracyLee of Damone Roberts Beverly Hillsdo the application for me. She is one of the most sought after nail technicians in the world and was flown from Damone Roberts’ New York salon to do the service in their Beverly Hills salon for two days. The process was painless and quick. Minx nails can last much longer than a regular manicure depending on how well you care for them. Unfortunately I’m pretty rough on my nails…constant typing, dish washing and random crafts I find myself doing. I loved the look and now staring at my bare nails I’m yearning for Minx again! This will be a must for New Year’s Eve!!!! You can learn more about Minx at their official website here.
Well it finally happened. Someone close to me is tying the knot. My mission to avoid anything marital has alluded me all summer with the many summer weddings but now the ultimate “I’m a grown-up” moment…the engagement party of my best friend and college roommate! Gulp. Second grown-up moment to swallow, approaching the conservative cocktail look. Yes, I still attend the occasional cocktail party which requires a dress code of cute party dress while you share a $10 pitcher of beer at happy hour. But tonight’s engagement party is a grown-up event which requires grown-up attire. I took my cue from great architecture trying to pull together a look of structure and elegance. I picked a highly structured gray dress with angled shoulder padding topped with a jeweled statement necklace and jewel-toned shoes to create a pop of color against my conservative dress. Here’s an interpretation of what I have planned via Polyvore.com. Hopefully my artistic skills on that site will improve as time goes by but as for now here’s my first go around:
Big: people don’t dress up anymore
Carrie: like with waistcoats
Big: and watch fobs I’m gonna bring back the watch fob
I wish we could go back to a time of waistcoats and watch fobs. A time where full petticoat-ed skirts and driving gloves were the norm. But I want it all…I want a broken glass ceiling for women in the work place and pin curls! Valentino The Last Emporer, documents the retirement of the famed designer but also the end of an era. The end of a time where a man like Valentino and the women that he dressed (Aubrey Hepburn and Jackie O) brought glamour and sophistication to the world. The documentary, directed by Matt Tyrnauer, follows Valentino in the last days of his retirement. I never got the chance to see this in theaters so I’m thrilled that the DVD was released this past Tuesday. I suggest picking it up and watching while you pack your things for this weekend’s move-in. Because let’s be honest, you’ve already watched all your recorded episodes of the Rachel Zoe Project. Order your copy of Valentino The Last Emporerhere.
Words cannot describe my bitter jealousy for all New Yorkers. First, you get functional public transporation and Magnolia cupcakes, but now you get to preview and shop the Anna Sui for Target line first before anyone else!!!! Anna’s line inspired by Gossip Girl is going on sale at 54 Crosby @ Spring in New York starting at 11 am today, September 10th! The rest of us will have to wait till the line goes on sale online and in select storesSeptember 13th.
The line is inspired by the females of the show with looks being named after Blair, Serena, Jenny and Vanessa. Let’s start by saying that I want EVERYTHING Blair. No surprises there! But what I’m wondering is why everything Serena is black?!?! And I have to agree with The Cut, Serena’s outfits aren’t nearly slutty enough! Deep down I wish Anna had done something for Regina’s character…perhaps a blazer with ”The Bitch is Back” in patchwork? A girl can only dream…
Maximilian Sinsteden’s dorm room in New York Magazine
New York Magazine posted this back in May but with the remainder of the UC schools moving in this coming weekend I am re-posting to provide inspiration and beauty. This is the ultimate example of “Style is not a Luxury”. Everyone can have style, anywhere. I’d like to believe that my dorm room style was the female version of Maximilian Sinsteden’s dorm room, but with the mini-bar and Persian rugs, he has me beat. Boyfriend shut it down in his design of this dorm room. (Could this be the real life version of Chuck Bass???) View the pictures below and read more about him and his design here at New York Magazine.
Key design details to incorporate into your dorm:
Bold Colored Walls
Eclectic paintings/images framed
MINI BAR!
Accessories as design (He used ties)
The magic of throw pillows
xoxo peace and love, Vanesa
Love this mini, mini-bar.
Beautiful ties used as wall decor.
I used black and white photos in my dorm room but I love Max's use of images and wall art.
1. Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara in Glam Black
The internet is a buzz with this mascara because this is the winner-takes-all of all drugstore products. Claimed to be the replacement for the much pricier DiorShow Mascara ($24), Colossal gives you thick and luscious lashes for only $5.99. I’ve never needed to wear heavy false lashes when using this mascara because I want the weight in my wallet, not on my eyes.
2. Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion
If you’re still paying for a tanning bed membership you need to stop now! Did you hear me? Now! Not only are tanning beds so 1999, they are also horrible for your health and a waste of your precious dollars. Read more HERE and I’ll stop nagging at you. Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion works wonders without any gross smells or texture. Plus the enhancers are made from soy beans so no more crazy chemicals from spray tanning. Slather on evenly to get tan, not orange. Take that, Brooke Hogan!
3. Nivea A Kiss of Rejuvenation Q10
Nivea A Kiss of Rejuvenation Q10 is my lip savior! I’m very bad at applying moisturizer but putting this on is like a daily treat for my lips. The formula is anti-aging with SPF 4, but I love it not only for its benefits but how amazing it feels. The texture is so soft without being too jelly-like. Wear it alone or under a gloss or lipstick before you go smacking away with Mr. Wonderful.
4. Trader Joe’s Lavendar Salt Scrub
The last place I think of when I think of beauty products is Trader Joe’s but their Lavendar Salt Scrub is so good they need to take a meeting with the buyer at Sephora. The natural scrub is light and refined, not chunky like lots of other scrubs, leaving you feeling like your skin has been buffed and shined by Mother Nature. And let’s not forget the aromatic bliss of lavendar filling your steamy shower. It is the perfect aroma to invigorate your morning or soothe you down before a good night’s sleep. Like everything at Trader Joe’s, you can count on a great price for a quality product. Me likey!
5. Wet N Wild Eyeliner Pencil
A girlfriend of mine always had the most amazing eye makeup. She knew the art of colored eye liner, I was more on the side of dabbling instead of mastering (i.e. Sparkle black eyeliner instead of regular black eyeliner). When I finally asked her what product she used I was surprised she was using Wet N Wild, the famous cheap drustore brand. So I refrained. But then I opened up a fashion mag and read a famous actress mention Wet N Wild as one of her makeup bag staples! I pounced. They have a variety of your basic essential colors as well as bright, trendier colors. The pencil goes on so rich and smooth, it doesn’t do the $1.49 price tag justice!
1. Sequin Blazer – 
I wore this outfit this past weekend running a flurry of errands and going to a number of events. It was so easy to transition from one place to another as well as stress-free on and off layering. Here are the places that helped keep this in budget:
