Affordable Luxury

In these times we need something fancy to cheer ourselves up, but since we probably don't have the cash to shell out for one of Gucci's new (and quite fantastic) new Spring bags, the following should work as fantastic stand-ins.

For about $6.00 you can create your own candy bar at Chocomize. What is better than a hand-created, absolutely delish candy bar? Nothing.

Between Sephora and Benefit, I love this kit! Erase paste is just about the bestest concealor ever, Stay Don't Stray is awesome and I really love that creamy shadow. This is all for just $10! Gotta Have It. 

Glee Nail Prints ... even better than an expensive manicure ... only $15.

How about some flowers that will live all summer? These are beautiful and cost effective for those of us who love fresh flowers (fake fresh flowers, lol) ... for only $14.99 they will look pretty on your desk all summer long. 

Spring is Just Around The Corner

Spring is just around the corner, you know how I know? Not because it is getting warmer by any means, but because the March 2011 Marie Claire arrived yesterday full of fresh, warm weather looks. I'm so excited! Winter fashions are getting to be so drab, there is only so long before my excitement for pea coats and sweaters wears off. My dream list for spring accessories contains the following complements of Marie Claire:

Thierry Lasry Sunglasses ($375)

(image via Fashion Beans) 

Irene Neuwirth Ring ($6310)

(image via Barneys)

Balenciaga Leather Handbag ($1795)

(image via Barneys)

EuforiA Ceramic Rose Earings ($20)

(image via EuforiA)

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh Perfume ($75)

(image via Sephora)

Looks like it's gonna be a good spring!

Top Ten - TV Shows

I love television. That may sound shallow of me, but after years of school having the free time to sit in front of the TV and do nothing is a wonderful thing. My favorite TV shows are the following, in no particular order:

Their chemistry is to die for.

The even made Justin Bieber sound good.

I miss some of the old characters, and don't like some of the new ones,

but I can't stop watching this show.

It's a game, which house will they pick?

I Love Lucy, who doesn't?

The question is, what are they lying about?

I think I like it better than Grey's :)

One day I'll own one of these apartments, or at least tour one.

They are so smoldering and delish ... and it is sorta scary which is fun.

Best. Show. On. TV.

What are your favorites?

I Heart Barbie

As a girl who played with Barbies way too long after I should have, I still have some love for the plastic dolls. Today I got my Spring 2011 Barbie Collector catalog in the mail and there are some pieces that I'd love to have, but grown up collections come with grown-up prices :) 

My mom gave me all of her Barbies with I was little, and this dress was totally in there ... unfortunately I don't know where it ended up.

Midge ... why is your name Midge?

Hello Glamorous! 

Since when does Barbie make models?

Doesn't he look like Pretty Little Liar's Caleb (Tyler Blackburn)

No matter if you played with Barbies or not, these Spring dolls are surely fabulous.

Hello Cupcake

Two of my favorite things are cupcakes and Hello Kitty (see the first About Me page) ... so how could I not adore this?

or this

The top picture is from a bakery in China and the bottom is from an old blog post on Girl in the Green Dress.

To Be This Brave...

Continuing with my being brave theme, I'd love to be this brave with my decorating. I'd love the idea of dressing like Lady Gaga (okay, maybe I could pull off that hair bow), but I'd be much more comfortable in a crazily decorated apartment. There are always aspects you could take away from any room, like you could have a dark colored wall, but I like this whole apartment! It has instant drama and beauty that couldn't exist if you only took bits and pieces out. No room in my house looks like this, they simply aren't that fabulous. Am I brave enough ... to live in what has been dubbed, The Black Apartment? 

 

Is it me, or does that curtain look wrinkled?

The Black Apartment is owned (and enjoyed) by Cindy Gallup ... if you don't know who she is, don't worry, I didn't either ... however, she is a brilliant ad exec :) 

Fashionable?

Fashion week is always full of drama, glamour, and ... sometimes very interesting outfits. This makes me think of all of the "crazy" dressers that we have gotten used to, I mean, who didn't expect Lady Gaga to show up to the Grammy's in a giant egg? Even if you don't love Betsey Johnson, Prince Poppycock, or Lady Gaga, you have to appreciate their moxie.

Lady Gaga, upon arrival to the 2011 Grammy's.

Prince Poppycock, looking at fabulous as usual. 

Prince Poppycock ... again. You may ask why two pictures, that's simple, I like him.

Lady Gaga rocking that uber cute, channeling Hello Kitty, hair bow. 

Betsey Johnson, the woman who can rock it all, does summersaults, beats cancer ... she is my fashion hero.

Cupcake Addiction

As all my friends know, I am addicted to cupcakes. A friend of mine found this today and I had to share it with all of you. Hope you're having a great Sunday!  

Head over to Brainless Tales and see all the other great things they have.

My Fair Audrey

Every woman should mix at least a little Audrey into her style. She is classic, timeless, fun and spunky. I love her style and pretty much everything about her. Audrey is quoted as saying, "My look is attainable. Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying the large sunglasses, and the little sleeveless dresses" and it is so true. 


In honor of this style icon, here are are few of my favorite Audrey looks ... complements of All About Audrey, a blog dedicated to this style icon.

Audrey pictured with the cast and crew on the New York set of Breakfast At Tiffany’s, 1961.

Audrey in her very first publicity shoot for Paramount Studios in 1953. Audrey can also be seen wearing this outfit in photos with Dean Martin, Rosemary Clooney and Jerry Lewis - she was shown around the lots and met a few Paramount stars towards the end of a very long day. Photo by Bud Fraker.

Cinecitta Studios, Rome, Italy, 1955: Audrey is Tolstoy’s Natasha Rostova in King Vidor’s 1956 adaptation of War and Peace.

1956: Audrey takes some time off on the grounds of Chateau De Vitry la Ville, (18 hectares of parkland containing a castle and farmhouse, which can be seen in this photo) located in the north of France, during the filming of Love In The Afternoon.

1961: Audrey goes cycling with Famous at Paramount Studios. While all exteriors for Breakfast At Tiffany’s were filmed in New York, the interior of Holly’s apartment was created in Los Angeles on a Paramount lot.

Tiffany & Co, 727 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street, Manhattan, New York, 1961: Audrey films her iconic opening scene. Audrey disliked Danish pastries very much, so the repetitiveness of filming the shots of her eating was not enjoyable for her.




Thanks again to All About Audrey and its excellent and dedicated blogger, Anna. Head on over there to follow the blog and never miss an iconic Audrey shot. 

Artful Bouquets

Vera Wang's weekly newsletter is full of tips and tricks (and if you're getting married I suggest you go to her website immediately and sign up for it) and today's held the following idea:
Your bridal bouquet can be transformed into a striking accessory without detracting from the tradition or symbolism. Try weaving pieces of fabric from your wedding dress into the flowers or choose an unexpected color to offset the neutral tones of your gown. (We recommend a black-red or deep purple stem as we love the theatricality of these colors.) Channeling your adventurous or theatrical side in this way is a modern approach to a classic element of a bride’s ensemble.— XO, Vera


I thought I'd post some of my favorite bouquets that I've collected from all over the internet, if you recognize any of these pictures please let me know who they "belong" to so I can give credit where credit is due.