Top Fashion Trends of 2013!

2013 is coming to an end and I must say it was a fashion filled year.  So why not recap what was trending in 2013 shall we!:

Powder Pink Outerwear

 

Fur

 

Plaid/Tartan

 

 

Fabric Blocking

 

Luxe Leather

 

Molten Metallic

 

The Beanie

 

Leopard Print

 

Pinstripes

 

Boot-Sandal

 

Over The Knee Boot

 

Turtlenecks

 

Peplum

 

High-Waisted Stone Washed Jeans

 

Shades of Green (Pantone's color of the year)

 

Slouchy Pants

 

Statement Outerwear

 

Folk-Inspired Pieces

 

Rounded Shoulders

 

Statement Sunglasses

 

Fringe

 

Flats and Low heels

 

Grunge

 

Military

 



 Even though we are saying bye to 2013, hopefully these trends will stay around for the new year to come!

credits: http://www.elle.com/fashion/fall-2013-fashion-trends
             http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2013/02/fall-2013-most-wearable-fashion-trends#slide=7
             http://dailyemerald.com/2013/12/29/a-roundup-of-the-top-fashion-trends-of-2013/

 



OOTD 12/28/2013

Hey guys just wanted to share my #OOTD from last night attending the "Fashion's Night Out" event at the Coliseum. Met some wonderful people, saw some great products, and had a good time!!! Sweater and necklace from Forever 21, skirt and clutch from H&M, pumps from Macy's

DIY-Purse Organizer

Ok guys so I just came upstairs from my basement and a dilemma occurred to me...I have too many purses.  Now I would say I have about 15-20 purses, and just bought two clutches yesterday...so yea I'm not helping the situation.  Right now my babies are stored away in bins in my basement to keep them out of the way, especially since I am in the process of moving out in a couple of months.  So I thought to myself "where can I find a purse organizer?"  Well instead of buying one, why not make one?  I hurried off to YouTube and found this great, and hilarious DIY video on how to make your own purse hangers on a budget.  I am going to try this once I actually do move, but I wanted to share it with you all just in case someone is going through the same problem I am now, and hopefully you have another option as oppose to buying an expensive organizer that probably isn't that cute.  Enjoy and let me know what you guys think!

2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Hey guys if you're like me, you didn't get to catch this years Victoria;s Secret Fashion Show.  Well you're in luck, sit back, pop some popcorn, and click the play button and see this year's show in full, enjoy!

Fashion Talk Starting Jan. 5th!

OOTD

Hey guys happy Sunday!!! First and foremost it's my bday yay me!!! Big 22!!! Just wanted to share my OOTN of my last night festivities, dress courtesy of Pink Basis, shoes courtesy of Just Fab, jewelry courtesy of Forever 21, and my new glasses courtesy of Glasses USA. More posts coming this week, enjoy your Sunday!!!

Beauty: Skincare Practice for Better Skin

Have you ever wondered why your skin doesn't look as flawless as it once did? Are you doing all that you should be doing to see those results? The answer is most likely no. Most people with beautiful skin will tell you they don't do anything to it or put anything on it. This may be true for a select few individuals with genetically "good" skin, meaning they rarely ever get pimples or blemishes. But for the rest of us this is merely not the case. It has been trial and error when it comes to finding the perfect product to include in my skincare regimen. I have finally found a skincare regimen that works for me and it took quite some time. Of course this routine changes with the seasons as I find that my skin needs more moisture in the winter and more SPF protection in the summer. So, what do I do? Throughout the years I have had a few struggles with my skin causing a love/hate relationship with it. It was only about six months ago when my skin began to look its best. My morning routine consisted of washing my face with Cetaphil (I can't remember the name but it was directed towards people with oily skin and has a purple top, it was pricey for a face wash costing about $15), I then followed up with a Cetaphil moisturizer with a sunscreen. My nightly routine was a bit different. I washed my face with black soap and then exfoliated with a homemade facial, which included honey, sugar, and lemon. I would leave this exfoliator on my face for about two hours (not on purpose...I would get distracted by doing my homework). After I exfoliated I applied my retinol night cream and used Ambi Fade Cream to lessen the dark spots I had from previous blemishes. I was also exercising, drinking lots of water, and on a healthy diet. My skin never looked so good and I never got so many compliments from it. I was truly glowing! The honey, sugar, and lemon concoction provided a glow and helped fade my blemishes (lemon-citric acid) magnificently. Now, the retinoid is a product that is prescribed but you can get this over the counter as well. I suggest you go get your hands on this stuff and immediately include this in your nightly routine! Retinol creams have Vitamin A in them and this works by increasing cell turnover which will unclog pores, brighten skin, even/smooth out discoloration, and make skin softer. I have been using this stuff for awhile and I saw these results in only a matter of weeks. I never had a breakout leave a mark that stayed on my face for more than a couple of days. My skincare routine includes ingredients that specifically target skin discoloration and breakouts. More importantly I stuck to my skin routine regularly and incorporated products that I felt my face would benefit from. It's possible for everyone to have beautiful skin and with these guidelines you will accomplish just that. I will include the products I used in my skincare regimen but please remember what works for me may not work for you so this is just something to get an idea of what you may need to do.

PRODUCTS:
 1) AMBI Fade Cream
 2) Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil-Control foam wash
 3) Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil-Control Moisturizer
 4) Black Soap
 5) Retinoid (I use prescribed but you can use over the counter as well)

December Hair Challenge!

Hey ladies!

It's officially winter and your hair is probably going through it more than you know. The harsh winds and cold climate makes it difficult for our hair to retain any moisture. I'm introducing a challenge for those wanting to utilize protective styles and essential oils! This is an important way to retain length and keep your hair healthy through these upcoming months. Although their is no prize for this challenge the true satisfaction will come from witnessing the growth you have accumulated through these simple steps. Here are the rules, you are certainly welcome to bend them in order to fit your hair's needs:

-NO HEAT!!!!!
-deep condition 3x a week (I prefer henna or Elasta QP)
-protective styling (bantu knots, twist outs, braids, sew-ins...etc.)
-sealing your ends at night with an essential oil (olive, argan, castor, almond, jojoba, coconut, etc.)
-multivitamins or biotin (hair & skin directed....remember to drink a full glass of water as your body adjusts or else you'll experience breakouts, start out with a low strength and build your way up to see how your body reacts).
-log your journey with pictures or a written description for reference.

Are you ready to see your hair's maximum potential? What are you waiting for?! GET STARTED!

Happy Hair Days and Good Luck! :)

Health & Beauty: Acne, Chacne, or Bacne?

So, you might have skimmed across the title and understood what acne was or maybe even bacne, but chacne? Are those even real terms? Well, if you have suffered from them, which I'm sure everyone has in their lifetime, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Bacne refers to breakouts that typically occur on ones back and the shoulders. Chacne is found on the chest, probably the worst spot for women who like to show off their cleavage to have flare ups. The causes of both these conditions are due to a variety of factors such as hormones, clogged pores, and pressure or friction. I was once a victim of those flare ups on my back and chest which spread drastically, even leading to a period of never ending outbreaks. Luckily, these were easy to cover up and I became very cautious of any and everything I put on my skin. I realized these breakouts would not go away on their own until I found out what was making them appear. I noticed when I carried anything on my shoulder or back a breakout would occur. Why? The pressure from the straps of my book bag as well as the weight of my book bag would rub against my skin causing friction. Of course, I was going through puberty too and this played a role in my breakouts but the main culprit was due to pressure/friction. I started to exfoliate during showers and took less showers. I know this may sound "dirty" but actually over washing can cause more break ups since you are aggravating the skin. This doesn't mean skip your hygiene steps altogether but think of it as "less is more". You are at the stage of trying to get the breakouts under control so until they're at a dead end you must follow through. If you like to work out or do any activity that involves getting sweaty then you definitely need to shower immediately. The longer you wait the more breakouts you will have....1 minute equals 1 breakout and so on. After following these steps I realized I wasn't seeing any results so I visited my dermatologist to get an anti-biotic known as doxycycline. This basically helps stop breakouts internally and you'll usually start off with minocycline. They both get the job done and do the same thing besides a few differences (minocycline is soluble in fats....this is so pharmacist-like of me). This anti-biotic is really going to aid in the process of healing those ungodly pimples! After a month you will witness clearer skin and assuming you are eating a healthy diet you should not have any more break outs. By the third month everything will be almost gone and you can now start to work on fading those scars. Exfoliating usually works well enough to get the top layer of skin off, if done regularly, but wouldn't you like them gone fast?! The remedy of honey, sugar, and lemon is what I use for clearing my face and it's worked like a charm ever since I started using it. Applying this to your back and areas where you had flares up every day for about 15-20 minutes will lighten the appearance of those marks. Consistency is key here! These steps need to be followed on a daily basis to see any results and the more you stick to it (no pun) the better your skin will look. So if you yourself are suffering from one of the three "acnes" or know someone, give these a try and document your progress!

DIY: Fall Home Decor Ideas!

It's the Fall Season!!  Here is a nice little DIY video for Fall Home Decor ideas, enjoy!

Makeup: Pantone + Sephora = Never Wear the Wrong Makeup Again!

Ever wonder if the foundation you've been wearing for years is actually the right color for you?  Well now your worries are over.  Thanks to the teamwork of Pantone and Sephora you can get your color IQ taken which is linked to a Pantone skin color.  From there, that color is linked to all of the products Sephora carries and is narrowed down to the exact matches that works for your skin color, how neat!  Check out the video below which gives exact details of how this works, and I will be going into the Saint Louis Galleria's Sephora location and will try this out myself so stay tuned!

Fashion & Style: Women's Trend Overview Fall 13/14

The Fall/Winter season is upon us and we are now starting to shift into fall and winter fashions.  But many of you may wonder what should you be wearing?  What tops, bottoms, shoes, accessories, and even what colors are fashionable for the season?  Well there are many different fall/winter trends out there for us women.  If you are familiar with Pantone, then you know they have their 10 color trends of this season, so along with them and some other great info I was able to research I hope I can make the decision making process on what to wear or how to wear it when it comes to Fall/Winter fashion a little bit easier.  To start off, lets go over the colors of the Fall/Winter season, that is the foundation of our report:

To start off this is Pantone's Fashion Color Report for Fall/Winter 2013/2014 

• Emerald (Pantone 17-5641)
• Linden Green (Pantone 15-0533)
• Acai (Pantone 19-3628)
• Samba (Pantone 19-1662)
• Vivacious (Pantone 19-2045)
• Mykonos Blue (Pantone 18-4434)
• Koi (Pantone 17-1452)
• Deep Lichen Green (Pantone 18-0312)
• Carafe (Pantone 19-1116)
• Turbelence (Pantone 19-4125)

These are also other color families that are trending this season

• RICH COLOR FAMILY (deep and vivid in color)
• Red Wine (Pantone 19-1725)
• Royal Purple (Pantone 19-3540)
• Sapphire (Pantone 19-4056)
• Emerald (Pantone 18-5338)
• SPICE COLOR FAMILY (color that gives zest)
• Pink (Pantone 18-2133)
• Cayenne (Pantone 17-1463)
• Tumeric (Pantone 16-0540)
• Olive (Pantone 16-0540)
• Tea Green (Pantone (17-5330)
• TRANQUIL COLOR FAMILY (color that is free from commotion and disturbance
• Coral Blush (Pantone 15-1331)
• Naked (Pantone 12-0806)
• Felt (Pantone 14-5002)
• Winter (Pantone 11-4201)

Some fabrics/embellishments that are really popular this season is TWEED, LEATHER, FUR, MOHAIR, METALLIC MESH, AND CAIMAN.
Some popular prints are CAMOFLAUGE, CHECKERED/PLAID, ANIMAL PRINTS, AND YOUTFUL PRINTS.

Other clothing (and accessory) trends include:

• trench coats
• long leather gloves
• sweat shirts
• fur coats
• over sized coats
• miniature clutches
• chunky scarves
• doctor's bags
• turtle necks
• plush
• lace
• high fashion back packs
• fur bags

SHOE TRENDS:

• triangular or circular high heels
• wedge heels or an aggressive sole
• open heel or toe
• 1940's
• moccasin style
• velvet shoes
• thigh high boots
• boyfriend shoes
• ankle boots
• grunge
• oversized shoulders
• lingerie accents
• tom boy
• 1940's
• tailored

JEWELRY TRENDS:

• gold necklace
• chandelier earrings
• geometric bracelets

I hope this has given you some sort of direction on what is trending for this season, and I hope this has given you some sort of inspiration to create that perfect Fall or Winter look!

credits: http://www.slideshare.net/jberry2/fall-winter-2013-color-report
             http://en.vogue.fr/fashion/fashion-inspiration/diaporama/20-trends-for-fall-winter-2013-2014/12208/image/736159#!sailor-boy-h-amp-m-ralph-lauren-emilio-pucci
             http://wardrobelooks.com/tag/winter-2013-2014/
             http://www.globalsources.com/NEWS/Fall-winter-trends-031413.HTM
             http://fallwinterfashiontrends.com/womens-fashion-shoes-trends-for-fall/
             http://www.dailywt.com/10-must-have-accessories-for-fallwinter-2013/

DIY: My ABC Creation!!!!

So I have been trying to hold back from posting this because I wanted to find my tutorial pics and post them at the same time but I want every to see how easy it is to make your own ABC creation, so dum dum dum dum!!!!!! I present my outfit made from Styrofoam cups, duck tape, and trash bags:

The process itself wasn't necessarily hard, but more a trial and error situation, from figuring out what kind of glue to use to how to ensemble the cups on the skirt, and how to create the trash bag top.  I will say I was and am very proud of my work, I honestly didn't think I could pull it off!!!  Once I find my tutorial pics I will make a tutorial video on Youtube so stay tuned!! And hopefully this has inspired someone to try and attempt to make a fabulous ABC creation!



Fashion & Style: Versace Versace Versace

For all of my true Versace lovers here is the Spring/Summer 2014 fashion show in Milan, enjoy!

Fashion & Style: Designer Review #2: Dolce & Gabbana

Alright everyone, for our second designer review, I've picked two designers who are probably among the best designers of all time.  I love their work from every stitch, cut, and the drape and flow of their garments, it's flawless.  Of course I'm talking about Stefano Gabbana and Domencio Dolce, better known as Dolce & Gabbana.  The two first met in Milan in 1980 and started their clothing line in 1982, showing their first women's collection in 1985 in Milan which, by the way, was mainly homemade.  In 1989 they opened up their first boutique in Japan and in 1991 showed their first men's collection.  Now in the 21st century, having numerous collections and awards under their belt, Dolce & Gabbana are known to make women look sexy with their clothing, emphasizing and embracing a curvaceous woman.  Again I love the brand as a whole, and so you guys can see why I'm so head over heels for Dolce & Gabbana, here is their Spring 2014 collection in Milan:

Techy Tips: Flipshion App Review

Hey guys I told you I would start doing app reviews and here is the first one, Flipshion!  Let me know what you think and also comment on other fashion apps you want me to try out.

Fashion & Style: Flipshion! Designer Looks for Less!

Hey guys I was just browsing through Youtube videos looking for new blog topics and I found one for this app called Flipshion.  Basically they take runway looks and show identical outfits for way less.  If you like it you can buy it right there on your phone!!  This is another app that is added to my video tutorial list which I will be doing within the next month or so, but if anyone has already tried this app let me know hat you think of it!!!  Also check out the video down below:

Fashion & Style: Paris Mens Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013/2014

As promised here is the video, thanks to FashionTv, of the runway show from Men's Fashion Week in Paris, enjoy!!!!

Fashion & Style: Mens Fall Fashion Trends 2013/2014

Finally, our first men's post!!!!  I am super excited for the simple fact that I want to reach a variety of people, and even though this is more of a women's fashion blog, I still want to share things within the men's fashion industry as well.  So today's topic is the Fall/Winter Trends of 2013/2014:

First there is the pea coat.  I absolutely love this one a guy.  It is very sleek and very casual at the same time and it just makes a guy look so yummy!  Along with a nice cardigan, some straight jeans, a scarf with texture or a pattern, and dress boots or shoes, and you have an ensemble for both the work place and a night out with your lady.

Another trend, which is something that is always going to be around, not even as a fashion trend but an necessity is the suit.  But now what's trending are suits with texture or a faint pattern.  You can still be corporate savvy, but also look like your ready for the cover of GQ Magazine.

Along with suits, what seems to be coming back is the "Miami Vice" Open Jacket/Blazer.  I particularly love this with a cardigan or nice long sleeve pull over, dark blue jeans, and some casual canvas shoes.

Leather is very popular right now, especially using leather on the sleeves of shirts and jackets, or as pants.

Just like in the women's fashion industry, camouflage is a real big trend within the men's industry as well, I particularly love camouflage pants.

Duffle bags, and other variation of man bags are very in right now, especially the brown leather or burgundy.

Hats, hats, and more hats.  The general idea of hats are something men should invest in for this season, such as knit caps, fedoras, and ascots as well.

There are so many other trends, and I will be posting the video from Fashion Week in Paris featuring the latest styles for the upcoming season, but I hope this is a basic guide that you can follow in order to start getting your closet ready!