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Some seriously epic shopping went down today. I'm in a post-sale high right now. Hehehe. In unrelated news, I finally managed to see The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (aka Heath Ledger's last film and Lily Cole's first film), so I'll be creating a little outfit inspired by that.
Kings & Queens Shower Gel in Queen Isabella (Cinnamon & Orange), $9 at beauty.com, Body Butter in Queen Nefertiti (Honey), $15 at beauty.com, Body Scrub in Aztec King (Vanilla Pear), $11 at beauty.com: King & Queens is actually made by the same company that makes Korres, so there's a similar eco-friendliness going on (no parabens or mineral oil here), but with slightly edgier packaging. There was the epic annual sale at Fred Segal today, and they even had makeup on sale for 50% off (LOVE), so my mom and I snapped up some of these. I love the concept behind this line. There are 11 fragrances, each associated with some famous monarchy/ruler, and a couple different formulas (body butter, shower gel, body milk, body scrub, etc). The scents are: Sultan of Grenada Lemon Flower, Caspar Myrrh, Tsar Peter Tobacco, George III Lime, Queen Isabella Cinnamon Orange, Nefertiti Honey, Emperor Akbar Mango, Aztec King Vanilla Pear, Chinese Princess Jasmine, King of Sumatra Pepper Bergamot, and Queen Elisabeth Sugar. I smelled almost all of those, and they smell freaking awesome. Korres has very organic, clean scents, whereas these are more complex and layered. My favorite is the Nefertiti Honey. It smells exactly like honey, but not in a sickeningly sweet way. And obviously I will use anything that implies that I am royalty in the brand name. Hehe.
Stila Smudge Pot Collection, $32 at sephora.com, C&C California Kimono Cashmere Cardigan, $245 at candccalifornia.com: I also snapped up this Stila Smudge Pot sampler for $16, which was an epic deal. You get the equivalent of 2 full size smudge pots, which cost $20 each so at the very least you're saving $8. I haven't tried these yet, but I've only heard rave reviews about them. The shades are Black (matte black), Kitten (sparkling champagne), Starry Night (shimmery navy), and Violet (bright violet with shimmer). The included brush is worthless, but overall this is a really good deal, especially if you like purple. The purple shade isn't in the regular smudge pot line. I also picked up this C&C California cardigan (love sales) in black. I've wanted an open-front, slightly longer in the front cardigan FOREVER. Specifically this cardigan, actually, so that was fun. I'll post some pics later when I take pics with my new Frye boots (!), but I love this sweater. It's 100% cashmere--so it's warm but not bulky, it hangs perfectly but looks great belted, and is equal parts edgy and classic. It's all sold out, but there's a similar style still available at Shopbop.
On to the main event. I saw The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus a few days ago, and um, can I say love? For full disclosure, it's a very weird movie. No one else I saw it with loved it. If you like movies that have linear, logical plots and endings that tie up loose ends nicely, you will hate this movie. It's Tim Burton (twisted/dark) meets Louis Bunuel (surrealist) meets Baz Luhrman (glamorous drama with undertones of decay). Even if you hate all those directors, it's worth a watch for Lily Cole, Heath Ledger, and Andrew Garfield. That's a lot of pretty condensed into one movie.
So I wanted to create an outfit about that movie. But a large portion of it is in CGI-land, and that doesn't give me a lot to go off of. So I'm combining that inspiration with inspiration from Baz Luhrman's Romeo + Juliet. That may seem random, but there's a similar feeling of intense grandeur covering up something dark and sinister, and somehow rundown. If you haven't seen Romeo + Juliet (young Leo is reason enough), here's the trailer and a few pics.
So, I tried to put together an outfit that mixed baroque, luxurious touches with a hint of surrealism and a dash of seedy underworldness.
Camilla and Marc Blindfold Dress, $450 at shopbop.com, Mason by Michelle Mason Cable Blanket Coat, $572 at shopbop.com, Marc Jacobs Night in Rio Swarovski-studded Clutch, $895 at net-a-porter.com: I wanted the base of this outfit to be a dress because that's basically the go-to piece for when you get glammed up. I chose this dress because the cut is very simple and chic, but the zipper detailing is subversive and little bit punky, so it unites the baroque and edgy/dark elements perfectly. The clean minimalism of this dress also ties into the '90s setting of Romeo + Juliet perfectly. I'd throw this sweater on top of it because it's the exact opposite of what a rational person would do. Pairing an oversized, almost bathrobey sweater with a sleek little LBD adds a surrealist vibe to the ensemble and makes that nighttime dress into a totally daytime appropriate piece. This sweater has high drama, but it also sorta looks like something a homeless person would wear (in a good way?), and I don't want to ruin Parnassus for you, but that totally fits into the film. I love this clutch because again, the combination of the black and the sheen of the crystals is simultaneously glam and somewhat over the top, nightclub seedy. The oversized shape and the lock floating at the bottom adds that perfect touch of whimsy.
Noir Jewelry Cosmic Cluster Necklace, $330 at shopbop.com, Kenneth Jay Lane Panther Ring, $54 at shopbop.com, Charlotte Olympia Maxine Sandals, $825 at net-a-porter.com: The key to jewelry with this sort of look is either piling on a ton of simple, little pieces, or going all out with a few weird, dramatic pieces. I particularly love the latter. This necklace is crazy over the top, pushing the surrealist vibe again, and the combination of the chains and crystals hits that high-low look that I was going for. I'm a sucker for a panther ring, and I LOVE this one. It's gold-plated and has crystal eyes (very chic materials), but it looks like an alien panther that's giving you the evil eye. Perfection. These shoes top everything off perfectly. I couldn't do a look inspired by a Baz Luhrman movie without adding in some color. I kept the color in the shoes because I used a lot of strong pieces, and I didn't want the overall effect to be overwhelming. Because the rest of the outfit is neutral, you can go crazy with the shoes. Hence the purple and fuchsia--both very whimsical. The odd shape of the platform and the oversized tassel detail make these heels even more little girl fantasy, but the luxe suede and satin fabrics used bring the glamour component back in. These shoes remind me of a circus. Which reminds me of a Luhrman/Terry Gilliam movie, so they're perfect!
Kings & Queens showergel: beauty.com, body scrub: beauty.com, body butter: beauty.com, Stila smudge pots: sephora.com, C&C California sweater: candccalifornia.com, Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus pics: movies.yahoo.com, Romeo + Juliet trailer: videodetective.com, Romeo + Juliet pictures: screenrush.co.uk, screenrush.co.uk, image.guardian.co.uk, Camilla and Marc dress: shopbop.com, Michelle Mason sweater: shopbop.com, Marc Jacobs clutch: net-a-porter.com, Noir Jewelry necklace: shopbop.com, Kenneth Jay Lane ring: shopbop.com, Charlotte Olympia heels: net-a-porter.com.
MAC and pretty shoes! A perfect combination. First off there's a sneak peek of MAC's collaboration with Liberty of London, some fab new sparkly lipgloss, and a review of the MAC 188 brush. And then some lovely new campaign pics, and random things I want, because that's just what I do.
The MAC Give Me Liberty of London collection drops March 11, and besides being filled with blushes and nail polishes that I want, the packaging is SO CUTE. I'm going to be completely honest and say that I'd buy it just for the packaging. There. Yes, I am that shallow. Just look at that first pic. It's quirky British floral awesomeness. This collection also has two decent sized makeup bags in Liberty of London prints for $25 and under. Um, HELLO EMPTY WALLET. And then there's the Liberty of London collection for Target...oh dear...this is going to be a problem.
MAC Lip Gelees in Lush & Bright, Preppy, Shift to Pink, and Resort Life, $14 at maccosmetics.com. The MAC in Lillyland (aka Lily Pullitzer) collection just dropped, and while most of it doesn't catch my eye, I'm head over heels in love with these lip gelees. You get about 9x as much product as you do with a Dazzleglass, and they're supposed to be just as sparkly. Lush & Bright is an orangey-coral with pink and gold shimmer, Preppy is a fuschia pink with a pearl base and lots of fuschia shimmer, Shift to Pink is a lilac-pink with pink pearl and pink/lilac shimmer, and Resort Life is a gilded beige with silver shimmer. I'm loving all of these, and can def see myself caving on at least one of them.
MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush, $34 at maccosmetics.com. I got this brush about a month and a half ago, and I totally forgot to review it. Failface. I think I overlooked it because it fits so perfectly into my makeup routine that I practically forget it's there. It's that good. First, the specs. It's a blend of goat hairs and synthetic hairs, and the white hairs are longer than the black hairs (the white hairs deposit product, the black hairs blend product). The brush itself is really small. It's about six inches long, and the width of the brush at the end of the black bristles is about that of a quarter. I knew it was small, and I still did a double take in the store. It's larger cousin is the 187 brush ($42), but I think the size of the 188 makes it great for getting around all the contours on your face. Now, the 188 is supposed to be able to deposit powder, cream, and liquid products (blush, foundation, bronzer, contour, you name it), buff everything flawlessly into the skin, and give an airbrushed finish. It sounds like overhyped marketing. It's not.
I was skeptical at first, but this brush is a serious powerhouse. I use it for all my face products. It applies my tinted moisturizer so, so smoothly, is the perfect size to fit under my cheekbone for a natural looking contour, blends blush and highlighter seamlessly, and buffs my concealer into my skin. It's really easy to use, too. For tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation I squeeze the amount I'm going to use onto the back of my hand. Next you determine your forehead-cheek ratio. If your forehead is large or blemish-covered, I'd use about a 1/3 on my forehead, and 1/3 on each cheek. If your forehead is relatively clear, I'd used 1/8 there and 3/8 on each cheek (OMG I can still do math). To apply, pick up the amount of product you're going to use on the end of the brush, and draw it in straight liners across or up and down the area you want to cover. Then move the brush in a tight, circular motion to blend the product across your skin. For blush, bronzer, and highlighter, stipple (tap) the end of the brush into the product two or three times, and apply in tight circles on the area you want to cover. I'd start with less product at first so that you can build it up in layers--it looks much more natural. I clean it with Cetaphil everyday, and I've experienced little to no shedding with my 188. So yes, it is expensive, and it looks dinky. But it's worth it, hands down.
Ash Lovely Suede Wedge Sandals with Studs in Topo and Black, $230 at shopbop.com: I want these shoes. I know what everyone's thinking, but no, to be honest, I'm not over studs or graphic wedges or bondage/S&M-inspired straps at all. I love the way the suede and the strap wrap around the heel of the shoe, and I love the kicky cutout at the bottom of the wedge--it lightens everything up perfectly. I just can't decide if I like the mauvey-grey or the black better. Theoretically, of course, because I can't afford these. But you should see my imaginary dream closet. It's pretty BAMF.
I thought I'd follow up yesterday's nice, but boring Burberry campaign with these new Dior and Hermes campaigns, both starring the lovely Karlie Kloss. Who happens to be an entire year younger than me and yet infinitely more accomplished. Ack. Anyways, I'm loving both of these. She's giving me a serious Lauren Bacall, femme fatale vibe in the Dior campaign, and I die for that strong brow. The Hermes campaign is a totally different side of her, but it's equally gorgeous. The Alexander Wang-esque braid with the Hermes scarf woven in is genius, and who doesn't want to fall asleep on a beach on a pile of Hermes pillows? Answer: a crazy person. Le sigh.
Image Sources:
MAC Give Me Liberty pics: temptalia.com, MAC Lip Gelee: temptalia.com, MAC 188 brush photos: nordstrom.com, temptalia.com, Ash wedges: shopbop.com, Dior ad: nymag.com, Hermes ad: modelinia.com.
My Frye boots are coming in the mail today GAAAHHH I'm so excited so I'm distracting myself from stalking the UPS guy by blogging. Apologies in advance if this post makes absolutely no sense. Also, unrelated, but I went to see the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus yesterday, so don't be surprised if an outfit inspired by that pops up in the next few days.
Urban Decay Stardust Shadow, $20 at sephora.com. I don't think Urban Decay's regular shadows can measure up to MAC eyeshadows, but even I'm impressed with the quality of Urban Decay's deluxe shadows (you know, the ones with the kitschy packaging?). Which is why I'm crazy excited about the release of Urban Decay's new eyeshadow. They're called Stardust shadows, and according to the Sephora website they have 40% more glitter than Urban Decay's regular shadows (OMG), and are formulated to have no fallout. You get .12 oz of product for $20, which works out to $166.67 per ounce vs. MAC's $290 per 0z, so it's a surprisingly good deal. I'm torn about the packaging--kinda awkward, but kinda futuristic awesome? Unsure. What really upsets me is that they're all sold out on the Sephora website. GRRRR. You guys know that I'm all about sparkly eyeshadows (I like me some GLITTAH), and the shades that these shadows come in have me drooling. Just look at that purple. There's a good selection of bright colors, but what I'm most interested in are Void, which is a black with silver glitter, and Diamond Dogs (I love me a good Moulin Rouge reference), a sparkly taupey-brown. I'm planning a Sephora trip just to see these little sparklies in the flesh.
MAC Eye Kohl in Blooz, $14.50 at maccosmetics.com. I used this liner for our Vampire photoshoot, and I absolutely love it. I've been craving a navy blue eyeliner for a long time, and I absolutely fell in love with this one. MAC describes it as an intense blue with blue shimmer. I don't know about the shimmer, but it's the perfect combination of a pop of color and something dark enough to define the eye without being as harsh as black. The navy hue is fantastic because it makes the white of the eye look whiter, it makes the green in your eyes pop, it makes blue eyes look bluer, and it even looks good with brown eyes. It is a kohl, so it will smudge, but I've found it wears well on the upper and lower lashlines, and pretty well on the waterline. It's also the longest eye pencil I've ever seen, so it's a really, really good value.
So Emma Watson's Spring Burberry campaign just came out, and due to my love of all things Burberry and Emma Watson, I had to share some of it with you guys. I don't think it's as interesting or as unexpected as the Fall campaign, but it's still pretty and full of Burberry-related awesomeness. I'm so jealous that she can pull of my natural hair color, and girl looks fierce. Love the pastel trenches--it's a really nice way to incorporate some springy freshness into such a classic wardrobe staple. Two interesting things about this shoot: the guy on the left in the second pic is her brother (darn genetically blessed family), and their Photoshopper needs to be fired. In the first pic she's missing a significant part of her right leg, and in the third pic she is def missing part of her right hip.
Doll Parts, shot by Glen Luchford and featuring Natasha Poly. V Magazine was kind enough to send us this Natasha Poly spread from their upcoming issue. The copy says it's inspired by Courtney Love, but I'm also getting a serious Alice in Wonderland vibe from this. That Lewis Caroll fable is supposed to be a big trend for 2010 (probably due in large part to the new Tim Burton version), and it makes perfect sense. It's one part Lolita, one part dark and subversive, and just a hint of the glam rock left over from Balmania. I especially love the third pic. And can we just talk about Natasha Poly's hair? I want that haircut, the thick, whispy bangs and long layers. Perfection.
Image Sources:
Urban Decay shadows: pursebuzz.com, sephora.com, MAC Blooz pencil: makeupalley.com, Burberry campaign: nymag.com, V Magazine spread: vmagazine.com.
This post is going to be a smorgasbord of random--advance warning!
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, $7.99 at drugstore.com. I've never bought eye makeup remover before. I'm more of a "get in the shower and scrub with a towel" followed by "wash with Cetaphil and scrub some more with a washcloth" until everything goes away. It's worked pretty well so far, but once you add in the black gel eyeliner on top of the waterproof mascara I get out of the shower looking like a raccoon or turning the white towels black. So I caved. And I hate change, but this was definitely worth it. It's about $8 (or less at Target) for a palm sized bottle of this stuff. You shake before using, and dab a bit onto a cotton ball or pad, and then swipe away at that eye makeup. I can go from raccoon to bare faced with this stuff in 30 seconds and only using one cotton pad. I'm in love. It's non-oily, so it won't cause breakouts, it doesn't smell, and most of all, it doesn't irritate my seriously sensitive eyes. I'm sure it's not as good as the Lancome remover, but for how long this bottle will last it's a serious steal. Consider me a convert. On a totally unrelated note, Laura Laine, one of my favorite fashion illustrators, has done up two tees for H&M. I stumbled across this white tank, and for $12.95 it was a no-brainer. It's a little on the long side, but I love the idea of it tucked into a high-waisted skirt. Check out Laura Laine's website for more twisted, fashion forward illustrations.
Whitney Port, Gwyneth Paltrow, Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere: So. Jeggings (aka jeans + leggings). I have conflicted feelings about them. When I first saw Whitney Port sporting these acid-washed, grey jeggings a few months ago, I wept (figuratively, of course) for the emotionally scarring trend I feared would be sweeping the nation. You guys know how I feel about skinny jeans and when girls who wear leggings as pants (if they were pants they would be called PANTS and no, I do not need to be that familiar with the anatomy of your derriere), and this felt like a combination of those two trends. Ack. Even Gwyneth Paltrow looks mildly ridiculous in them, and if Gwyneth Paltrow can't pull them off, who can?! Jeggings by themselves just do not work. But things took another turn. Jeggings meet boots. Boots and jeggings hit it off fabulously, as seen on the lovely Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere. Worn by themselves jeggings look like tragic skinny jeans. Worn with boots, they suddenly solve the problem of tucking jeans into boots! They stay down, they don't bunch, they aren't bulky, and they look like regular jeans, just with a ton of extra-stretch. And thus comfiness. Having just bought a pair of boots, I already have a feeling that jeggings will be making an appearance in my closet.
Citizens of Humanity Avedon Slick Skinny Jeans, $185 at shopbop.com, Madewell Legging Jeans, $95 at shopbop.com, J Brand Audrey Mid Rise Leggings, $159 at shopbop.com: Unfortunately, jeggings are going to run you just as much as a pair of jeans. Just looking at Shopbop, there are 75 different pairs of jeggings available, but not all jeggings are created equal. The whole point is that they look like jeans, so make sure that you find a pair with back pockets, front pockets, and a button/fly, even if they're just for show. Without these real jean details, jeggings just turn into a denim-hued pair of leggings, which sorta defeats the point. Jeggings are made of a combination of cotton and spandex, with some Lycra or other stretchy fabrics thrown in. All that aside, jeggings come in a variety of colors and finishes. This first pair is the pair being worn by Emily in the previous row, and they really do look just like a pair of jeans. This Madewell pair is a little easier on the wallet, and has more of a traditional denim color. My favorite is this J Brand pair because they're higher waisted! So they're extra comfy and they suck you in. I know $159 seems like a lot for a pair of leggings, but I can see myself wearing these all the time. Since they're black they qualify as a 'wear everyday appropriate' basic, and they'd be equally fab with knee-high boots, rain boots, or even Uggs on the way to class. Yes Uggs. Boston is COLD. Don't judge me.
Lindsey Thornberg Red Burnout Velvet Holiday Red Dress, $250 at bonadrag.com, Motorcycle Jacket, $95 at bonadrag.com, Mara Hoffman Knit Mini Skirt, $140 at bonadrag.com: I know I feature of a lot of jewelry from Bona Drag, but they also stock some pretty cute clothes. This Lindsey Thornberg dress comes in two lengths, mini and floor, and in multiple burnout patterns/colors. I love it because the material is super-stretchy, so it's flattering and comfy (and you can wear the neck as a crewneck or pull it out for an off the shoulders look), and the long-sleeve/body-con cut is very on-trend. This jacket is real leather for less than $100! They flat-out say that it's crappy leather, but it is real. The cut is classic motorcycle, with 3/4 length sleeves. a short body, and a ton of zippers. This is a serious, serious steal. How adorable is that Mara Hoffman skirt? It's my favorite cut, high-waisted and semi-mini, and the stretchy fabric means it'll fit most body types without pinching or gaping (it's all about the comfy today, apparently). Add in the very on-trend, neo-geometric/tribal pattern, and you've got one seriously covetable piece.
Image Sources:
Laura Laine tee: nitrolicious.com, Neutrogena makeup remover: skinnymenny.files.wordpress.com, Whitney Port: nymag.com, Gwyneth Paltrow: mylifetime.com, Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere: cupcakesandcashmere.com, Citizens of Humanity jeggings: shopbop.com, Madewell jeggings: shopbop.com, J Brand jeggings: shopbop.com, Lindsey Thornberg dress: bonadrag.com, Bona Drag jacket: bonadrag.com, Mara Hoffman skirt: bonadrag.com.
Remember that vampire-themed photoshoot I mentioned a few days ago? Well, it's here. And it's hilarious. It was a really recession-friendly photoshoot (AKA we shopped our closets), Maud's friend Matt took the photos, and I did the makeup. We ended up shooting at a cemetary, a church, and this wildernessy area nearby.
Why did we choose vampires? First, they're very on-trend. I blame Twilight. Second, we both a have a long-running obsession with vampires (Dracula, Interview with a Vampire, Lost Boys, the Historian, etc.), and they're crazy fun to dress up as.
So the story for this shoot was two girls who get turned into vampires in the early 1800's, and end up wandering the country as nomads, picking up clothes as they go. I wanted there to be a progression in the outfits, from rougher to more polished as they approach more modern times, but I also wanted there to be a disconnect between them and their environment; something that shows the distances between these girls and the real world.
Without further ado, here's "The Lady is a Vamp." Yes, we really are that cheesy. And if you want to see larger images of the photos, just click on them and it will open up in the window.
Clothes: All the jewelry is vintage. Sorry guys.
First row: Maud: Rodarte for Target tee, Target tank top, vintage skirt and belt. Megan: vintage knit leather top (very Rodarte, no?), vintage dress, Coach belt. Second row: Maud: vintage. Maud & Megan: Rodarte for Target dresses, Coach belts. Third row: Megan: vintage lace dress, vintage slip, vintage stole. Maud: American Apparel skirt, Forever 21 Tops, C Luce Ink Trench. Fourth row: Maud: vintage lace cardigan, Forever 21 tank, Rodarte for Target skirt. Maud: C Luce Ink trench, American Apparel skirt, Forever 21 tops. Megan: vintage Ann Taylor leotard, Forever 21 skirt, vintage stole. Fifth row: Megan: vintage Ann Taylor leotard, Forever 21 skirt, vintage stole. Maud: vintage lace cardigan, Forever 21 tank, Rodarte for Target skirt. Megan: vintage lace dress, vintage slip, vintage stole.
As for the makeup, we just did a really blank, neutral face. No bronzer, no blush, etc, to keep the eyes as the focal point. Then I used Urban Decay Primer Potion across the lid, followed by Benefit Creaseless Shadow in Birthday Suit, MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl, and Ulta shadow in Sandstone. I know that seems like a lot of light bases/shadows, but I really wanted a pale, sparkly base to brighten up all the darker colors I was going to use next and to keep the eye from looking small. I dusted MAC Shale across the lid and smudged it into the lower lashline, and then blended MAC Satin Taupe into the crease--extending it beyond the crease towards the nose on the inside and out beyond the outer corner of the eye in a triangle shape. Then I took the Sonia Kashuk shadow in Night, a matte dark grey, and blended it lightly over where I'd just put Satin Taupe for extra definition and deadness. I followed that with a few coats of mascara (Maxx Factor's Volume Couture), and smudged MAC Eye Kohl in Blooz (navy blue) into the upper and lower lashlines and the water line. The key to this look is extending the shadow beyond the outer corners of the eye in a pointed, triangle shape. It's very on-trend, and has a feline quality that really tied into the vampire thing.
Gucci, Versace, both Fall 2010: Here's a clearer example of the winged shadow thing I was talking about. It's like a smokey eye on crack.
Image Sources:
Gucci: style.com, Versace: style.com.
