Spring Rose and Winter Black

        

Right now it's that in-between time of the seasons. We're a few days into spring, but it's not until Easter and afterwards that one wears a lot of white and pastels. It's that small part of spring when we're still wearing blacks and other winter colors. Today's pictures show my combination of the winter and spring fashion stage we are in right now. Diving into my closet (just kidding, I don't have that kind of energy in the morning), I pulled out a rose colored spring sweater that I absolutely love (from Kohl's) and my long, black, lace skirt (from Maurice's). For a classy and elegant look I added these nude pumps, which are a new addition to my closet I got for $24 at Payless. Let me add here that finding heels that aren't stilettos or almost-stilettos was so difficult for me! I was looking online in most every store I could think of, but 3" or less pumps weren't to be found... until I finally thought of Payless. These 3" nude pumps are such nice shoes because they go with so much and I found them to be rather comfortable, as far as heels go. Another note on these shoes: I have officially ran in these heels several times... just for the sake of feeling cool because I was running in heels, (even if they're small ones). Regardless of the running in them though, these shoes were definitely a great buy.

I realize I haven't actually had many outfit inspirations recently, especially ones that I myself have modelled. Maybe it's because of the lengthy process of getting the camera, tripod, and everything ready and finding the outfit; however, this was the outfit I pulled together for church and loved, so I just snapped a few pictures. This is undoubtedly a formal outfit, but it could also be worn to simply nice events, like dinner, and can be less dressy with flats instead.

~Mariana

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

 



Saint Patrick's Day... I do love the holiday, but I most always get into that last minute situation in the morning where I'm franticly looking for something green to wear so I won't get pinched (even just on my way to get a little breakfast). This year, I've come up with a list of items I have that are green to prevent that:

1. Although I'm not the biggest fan of wearing shirts with words or brand names on them, on Saint Patrick's Day if I just want to be comfy while doing school or anything else, it's an easy go-to.



 2. Flower print is also an easy way to get some green on you, for flowers almost always have leaves. It can be a top, or some pants (know that mine are looser than the pants in the image below), or a dress

3. If it happens to be a cold day and you're going out, a military jacket is always a green option for March 17th, even if it's not a clover-green. In fact, a green hoodie or sweater could also work well.

4. Don't forget jewelry! It can be mint, emerald, olive, etc., but a green necklace or bracelet could save you from a pinch



















5. Scarves are tricky this time of year, but since the weather is still on the chilly side, a lightweight scarf is still in season and if you happen to have a green one like me, it could easily be a nice green article if you're going out somewhere






















6. If your closet still fails you or you just feel like wearing a little extra green, don't forget the sock... yes, the sock. Although they aren't a large or really much of any part of fashion, having warm feet is always nice in the cool of March and green socks are nice for the cool of March 17th















I wish all of you lasses some Irish luck finding something green to wear this Saint Patrick's Day!

~Mariana

New on the Makeup Page: Skin Care

Hey there ladies! Before we dig into lip liner and BB créme, there's one topic I must cover and that is skin care.

Your skin is the canvas for your make-up so it is absolutely essential that it be at its prime. Now I know that if you're a teenager like me your belief in good skin is probably somewhere between unicorns and leprechauns, but I assure you it's not a myth! With a little determination, you can get your skin looking its best.

The first thing you'll need to do is determine your skin type- oily, dry, or combination. Oily skin is constantly shiny except right after being washed. If you have oily skin, washing your face in the morning probably doesn't seem to cut it. Dry skin is the exact opposite. It tends to be dull and flakey and can never soak up enough lotion. Combination skin, as you probably guessed, is right in between, although it can lean toward different sides of the spectrum. It is oily in some places, but dry in others. For example, I have combination skin that tends toward the dry side. My cheeks and nose as often dry, but my forehead tends to break out. If you aren't sure about your skin type, talk to your dermatologist or a cosmologist like the people who work at make-up counters in the mall.

Once you know what skin type you are you have to learn how to care for that specific skin type. There are three steps for taking care of your skin: cleanse, tone and moisturize. If your skin leans towards the oily side, a gel cleanser is a good idea. A gel cleanser will be mostly clear, like shampoo, and lather when you rub it on your face. With oily skin, I also suggest you wash your face with a clean wash cloth to avoid transferring oils from your hands to your face. If you have dry skin, cream cleanser is best. It looks something like lotion (not clear like gel) and doesn't lather as much when used. Take your time finding a face wash that suits your skin's needs. You'll need to give a face wash a week long trial to give you skin a chance to react. If your skin doesn't improve after a week, move on to the next. Once you've found a good cleanser, it's time to find a toner. The point of a toner is to give your skin that extra clean, bright feeling. Lots of companies make toner, but honestly, good old fashioned witch hazel works as well as anything. Sure it smells a little funny, but it serves it's purpose. Put some on a cotton pad and dab your face with it and voilà! The final step in taking care of your skin is moisturizer. Obviously if your skin is dry you want to use an intense lotion. If you have oily skin, don't be deceived, you DO need lotion. If you don't use it, your skin can overcompensate by producing more oil and that's the last thing you want. I would suggest finding a lighter lotion if your skin is oily. Finding the right lotion for you is a lot like finding the right cleanser- trial and error. Pick some products that sound like they'd be good for your skin type and give them a try for a week.

So those are the basics of skin care! I'll probably go over things like exfoliants and masks in a later article, but those things, while good for your skin, are extraneous.

Good luck finding the right products for you!

Julia <3 font="">

10 Fashion Questions with Hannah

Hanna

February's 10 Fashion Questions features Hannah, who was kind enough to answer questions about her great style and all around fashion! Thanks Hannah!

1. What is your favorite color combination to wear?

 

Black and white with a little bit of color (like bright earrings or a bracelet).

 

2. How do the colors of your hair, skin, and eyes affect the colors you wear? What are some examples?

 

The color I think most complements my skin, eyes and hair (I have ivory skin, dark greyish-blue eyes and ever so slightly reddish-brown hair) would be white, because it makes it seem like I'm less pale than I am (I am really pale!). For example, in summer I wear a white dress of mine rather often. I also love navy blue because it is really classy and I love that color for clothing, and I tend to wear navy a lot in Winter.

 

3. How would you describe your fashion style in five words?

 

Fun/classy like Audrey Hepburn!

 

4. What’s your favorite accessory?

 

Sunglasses.

 

5. What is the most fun item in your wardrobe to wear?

 

The thing I enjoy wearing most would probably be these silver sandals from DSW, just because they go with everything and are so pretty!  

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/kelly+.and.+katie+phoebe+flat+sandal?prodId=265909&productRef=SEARCH

 

6. What's your favorite store?

My favorite store for everything but jeans would be Kohl's, but I love H&M's jeans sooo much. Both stores have great prices, and Kohl's has the most amazing sales, deals and rewards I've ever come across!

7. Do you have any modesty tips you’d like to share?

Modesty tip: Contrary to what a lot of people will tell you, loose shorts are not the key to being modest, as when you sit down and cross your legs or bend over they are lose enough so that anyone across from you can see right up them and thus do away with any effort at protecting your dignity. But of course if they are loose bermudas, then you're still safe. But if you don't like bermudas, then always check if someone can see up your leg when you sit and cross your legs! 

8. Neutral shoes or brightly colored shoes?

Neutral! Colorful/neon shoes are not classy. Blegh.

9. What’s your opinion about hats?

I don't particularly care for hats, I would never actually wear one (heck, that's what sunglasses are for, right?), but I admit that a lot of people can look amazing in them, take Kate Middleton for example.

10. What's your favorite fashion trend?

I would probably say that I love the fact that jean jackets are coming back into style. They add the "fun" to the "fun/classy like Audrey Hepburn"!

Heart Earrings DIY

I thought it was about time for another DIY and so I made one in honor of Valentine's Day! Now, I'm not one to go way out with hearts and valentine's everything, but it is a nice holiday, in my opinion, and I do enjoying dressing in pink, red, and hearts attire. It's rather nice to have a day celebrating love! I meant to get this done sooner . . . but time exists and I'm posting this later than I'd wanted. However, it's still not yet Valentine's Day, so I'm thankfully not late.

 

 ~Mariana

Opening of the Makeup Page

Hey guys, Julia here! Mariana has very graciously invited me to write a make-up section for this blog. My posts will cover everything from the conservative style to the dark and dramatic. I'll also offer some tips along the way.

First things first, I need to let you know where I stand with make-up. Most people take one of two approaches, the first being the oh-my-gosh-I-can't-make-a-move-without-it approach. The second is the make-up-is-from-the-devil-never-use-it approach. I don't condone either of these. It's my strong belief that make-up should be used as a tool to make you look and feel your best by enhancing your natural beauty, not covering you up and painting a new face on you. My goal is to give you make-up ideas to do just that.

Some things to keep in mind while reading: First, be sure to check with your parents before you wear a certain make-up style; every family has different standards. That being said, I'll try my best to post a wide range of styles for everyone. Second, be creative and remember my posts are not the be-all end-all of make-up. On the contrary, I hope you use my ideas as inspiration to make your own unique look. Lastly, if you have any questions about products or if something I say confuses you, don't hesitate to let me know. No question is too silly, especially if this is your first time plunging into the world of make-up.

I hope you're all as excited for this section as I am! I'll be posting my first article soon. Until then—

Stay beautiful,
Julia <3

10 Fashion Questions with Julia

Julia

This, the nearing end of January, I've decided to do a monthly 10 Questions about fashion. January's 10 Fashion Questions is with a great friend of mine, Julia. She has a great sense of style and always looks great and modest. Julia kindly agreed to answer questions about her style and here they are:

 

1.      What is your favorite color combination to wear?

Well in all honesty I really don't have a favorite combination. I'll pretty much wear anything that doesn't clash.

2.      How do the colors of your hair, skin, and eyes affect the colors you wear? What are some examples?

Ah yes, this makes a huge impact on what colors you can wear! I, for example, have dark hair and eyes and something of an olive/yellow complexion (the Asian in me). I typically like to go with colors that will contrast this like pastels, especially teals and greens. If, however, I were going to something like an evening event, I could wear something more serious that would enhance the darkness of my hair and eyes (like a burgundy). One quick tip on this topic— always avoid wearing things that blend with your skin tone!

3.      When you’re shopping, are you the type who can love something straight off the rack or do you have to try it on before you love it?

 I used to have to try things on, but after many years of practice I've learned to see potential in things straight off the rack

4.      Describe your fashion style in five words:

Feminine-urban-unique-colorful-trendy. Yup, that's me!

5.      What’s your favorite accessory?

I'm not really big on accessories, but I love to wear my silver, twisted leaf ring to add a little something to a typical solid shirt-skinny jeans-boots outfit.

6.      What is your opinion of chunky jewelry?

In my opinion, everything in fashion is about how you wear it. If you want to wear a flower print blouse with a polka-dot skirt you go for it! Whatever makes you feel good (so long as it's modest). No matter how weird your outfit may seem, just "sell it". In other words, be bold. Be confident. Be comfortable with how you look and convince everyone you know something about fashion that they don't. The same thing goes for chunky jewelry; if you like it— wear it and work it!

7.      What shopping advice can you give to other people who are also having a hard time finding modest clothing?

We all face the same struggle in this area. I'd just say be creative. Sweaters and undershirts are your best friends. Buy some colored tank tops and try mixing them under some tops you normally couldn't wear. Also, a quick tip—  before you make up your mind that something is absolutely too short or tight, try the next size up, (but also note that this could make a low neckline lower).

8.      What is the most fun item in your wardrobe to wear?

That's got to be my ankle length sun dress. It's an empire waist dress. White, with little purple flower vine designs all over it and a bright green sash around the waist that ties in the back. Twirling has never been more fun! It does have spaghetti straps, but I just wear a sweater with it (remember, they're your best friends!!!).

9.      Favorite fashion trend?

My favorite fashion trend is probably women's oxfords. Classy, comfy, and oh-so wonderfully weird! I kind of have this affinity for weird shoes...

10.  Favorite store?

Definitely T.J. Maxx. It's kind of like a thrift shop, but the clothes aren't used, they're just the ones department stores don't really care for any more. The racks are typically a little messy so shopping there might seem a little daunting, but you can really find some gems in there!