Grey Skies Ahead

I've always considered myself to be very progressive and open minded when it comes to most things.

But when the issue of nail polish colors, I'm practically Strom Thurmond.

I like pale pinks, dark reds, and well...that's it.

I never got into the black trend or it's bastard sister navy.  Don't even get me started on neons.

I guess I always felt that they could look ok on others, but certainly not on me.

But I was flipping through a Marie Claire and was literally struck dumb.

The model had perfect manicure of slate grey nails.

And it looked AWESOME.

Chic, demure, sophisticated and unexpected.  

The caption helpfully informed me that the shade was Rescue Beauty Lounge in Stormy.

So...here's the issue, I'm planning on trying it after an upcoming wedding manicure (a friend's!  not mine!  despite the dream I had where we restaged our wedding.  Bizarre.  I know) but I am looking for a facsimile....anyone see any perfect greys out there?

Protect and Serve

A coworker told a story recent about her mom getting a small skin cancer removed.

The scariest part?  Her doctor told her that she probably was exposed so much simply due to driving in her car and the sun through the window.

So, when a daily moisturizer with SPF showed up at my door, I lunged at it.

Despite my fear motivator, I've been really pleased with the moisturizer, DDF Correct and Protect UV Moisturizer SPF 15.  It definitely has that sunblock smell, which is making me a little wistful now that it's fricking freezing out.  However, I did get a little overzealous one morning and used a little too much.  Bad idea.  I ended up having to blot with a tissue while running out the door.  Use sparingly!

Best of all, I know that I am putting on sunscreen every morning.  And that makes the day a little easier to face.

(pun intended.  and lame.)

Gossip Girl: Chuck in Real Life

Welcome back for another exciting episode of "Check out Blake Lively's Side Boob!!"

Featuring.....

Side boob!

Courtesy of McQ by Alexander McQueen!!

Also lounging in this episode...Vanessa!  Who knows where this chick gets so many party dresses on such short notice?  Anyhoo, this one is Eskell.

The last interesting outfit...well, I'm not going to show you a picture for fear of being not suitable for work.  Blair's gorge satin lingerie (I'm sure pervy pictures are abundant if no one monitors your office) is Agent Provocateur.

Until next week...

Gossip Girl: New Haven Can Wait

Ok....I'm not even going to go there with the falsitudes in this episodes.  

Suffice it to say:  Blair's description of Brown is totally accurate and kids, wear a bra to you college interviews!

For a hot outfit totally NOT suitable for an Ivy League first impressions.

Her boobie-baring halter is courtesy of Alice and Olivia, the jeans are Rich and Skinny, the blazer is Ralph Lauren and the books are Michael Kors.

Also...NOT APPROPRIATE FOR COLLEGE VISITS...Serena's Black Halo dress.  But otherwise very cute.

However, for a more appropriate college interview ensemble...

Blair's Diane von Furstenberg skirt, Catherine Malandrino blouse and Paul Stuart sweater.  Also, her Chloe Oxford pumps are the rare case of shooties gone right.

If you didn't think that the plots could get any more ridonculous than Yale accepting someone who forgot to take the SATs, next week it's Dangerous Liaisons slash Cruel Intentions hijinks!!

Branching Out

I've never been a big fan of my toes.

Weird, I know.

But, as a result, I've always veered towards the pale pink colors for pedicure and saved dark for my fingers.

But a while back, I received a sample of NARS nail polish in Chinatown, a dark dark red that I couldn't wait to try out.

But alas!  It was summer and dark nail polish just felt too fall for me.

So I took the plunge and got a pedicure with the bold color.

It's....weird.

I definitely notice my toes more and the color looks great with an open-toed shoe.  The polish itself has stayed chip free and glossy over several weeks, no small feat considering how I abuse my toes on a daily basis.

However, since the weather has taken a turn for the chilly, I think I'll revert back to my comfort zone.

But it was fun while it lasted!

photo courtesy of beauty.com

Gossip Girl: Serena Also Rises

This episode was chock full o' good fashion!

The problem?

You can't buy half of the best outfits.

The finale dress that pushed Serena's boobs up to her chin?

Nope.

Jenny's maternity top slash ass bearing dress?

Nien.

Blair's blue dress with the sash?

SOL baby.

These were all made by the show's stylist himself.

Crap on a stick.

Well, there were some good pieces that ARE actually available.  Specifically, blouses, which I'm totally crushing on blouses for work in the fall, and this episode had some sweet ones.

Lily continues to impress with her jewel toned Rebecca Taylor top that would look kick ass with a grey suit.

While it's covered by a cardigan, the Milly blouse here is totally cute, and again, great for work under a jacket and then later minus the jacket.

And now, I know I focus pretty exclusively on the women's fashion, but I'm going to take a second out here and issue a fashion fatwa on Dan in vests.

STOP.

Please.

That is all.  As you were.

photos courtesy of gossipgirlinsider.com

Gossip Girl: The Ex Files

Finally.

Back at school.  

Not that I don't have a bone to pick with their attempt at reality, but more on that later.

First, I had a specific request for Blair's rhinestone headband.  

It's Jennifer Behr, but the real mystery is the cape.  No one on the internets can find it!

Apparently, the uniforms are coming from French Toast, which is actually a uniform store.  Who knew?  The real covetable item?  Her shoes, which are Nine West!  I'll race you there....

The parents in TV shows are typically a snoozefest (see 90120, My So-Called Life) but I perked up when I saw Lily in this Stella McCartney floral top.  

But I came crashing down to reality when I found that it was sold out everywhere.  

And now!  Field hockey!!  

As a chick who knew how to handle a stick in high school, I am well versed in the art of traipsing around the halls in a game outfit and hiking up that skirt.  (Actually, I knew a girl who had hers professionally altered to be shorter and poufier.)

Although...I accessorized with a mouthguard, not gumball sized pearls.  Maybe that's why we smoked the all girls schools when we played them.

Also, holy Herve Leger Batman!

No mortal should attempt to wear this dress.  Ever.

And now for my reality check.  

No way that girls from Constance Billard (aka Nightingale Bamford) would hang out with Dalton guys.  They would go for Collegiate or Trinity for sure.

Gossip Girl: The Dark Night

This episode just proves the theory that satin equals evil.  Witness Catherine's omnipresent Diane von Furstenburg wrap tops.

This episode revealed little that was covetable for me.  it was more about the one liners and teenagers not knowing who's tongue was in their mouth.

I did like Blair's 3.1 Phillip Lim pleated silk grecian dress....

but it seems to be out of stock everywhere!

Also interesting in this episode...Jenny seems to be wearing maternity tops as dresses!

Oh, those wacky high schoolers.

This one is Rebecca Taylor and you can find a similar dress/top from her here.

So, the plot in this ep?  Good.  The clothes?  Meh.

Next up?  Back to school!  Field hockey skirts!

On the Move

I'm headed to Chicago this weekend!  So, I'm looking for recommendations of places to shop, cool, neighborhoods to hang in and cafes for a caffeine fix!  Help me out!

photo courtesy of chicagophotos.blogspot.com

Gossip Girl: Never Been Marcused

Honestly, I thought this episode was a little filler-ish and I had a devil of a time tracking down most of the good outfits from this one.  Especially Blair's toile dress from the party at the Hudson.  

I've also noticed that as Serena's plot line gets lamer, so do her clothes.  The stylist seems to rely heavily on shiny silk.  A sure sign of poor plot twists to come.

Blair's headband here is Forever 21!  While most of the headbands (and there are many) come from Jennifer Behr and are beautiful, I have to say that the selection at Forever 21 is pretty great and a much easier price point.

Her necklace, however, will set you back a cool $1200 at the Garland Collection.  So, yeah.  I'd probably go for the headband.

Serena's only decent outfit (because I was NOT a fan of her boho maxi dress with the boobs hanging out) was courtesy of Wayne.  See...with the shiny silk.  Portent of dull conversations with Dan to come.

Blair's dress is Marc by Marc Jacobs and was on sale at Cusp sometime in mid-July.  I believe it is officially sold out and this one is definitely tailored on her.  I tried it on.  I know.

Ugh, enough with summer!  I want blazers and tie blouses and tights!

photos courtesy of gossipgirlinsider.com

Third Time's the Charm: Part Two

In which I try desperately to fulfill my need for thick glorious lashes at the drugstore.

My new office building has a CVS in it.

I'll let that soak in for a second.

Yup, so that means that on my way into the office, out of the office, to grab lunch, to go to a meeting, coming back from a meeting (you get the point) I can stop into the drugstore and browse the new mascaras, eyeliners, shampoos, etc.

It's very dangerous.  Especially since I jones for new mascara like Heidi must jones for synthetic fillers.

So, on one of these trips, I noticed that Maybelline mascaras were two for one!  I picked up a tube of my current love of the moment, the XXL and was struck by a fat yellow tube labeled COLOSSAL.

Since I didn't have the foresight to have someone lash (no pun intended) to the mast of a ship or something, I could not resist the siren song of the promise of thick glossy lashes.

So imagine the let down when I busted open the tube and discovered a similar wet formula like the Lash Blast.  Seriously....are these the same?  The Colossal was distinguished by an uber funky smell.

That was special.

I tried once or twice to use it again but was put off by the smell.

And into the trash it went.

to be continued....

No joke, as I was writing this post and watching The Hills (that's right, I multitask) the commercial for this mascara came on.  No mention of funk smell.  Call the FTC.

photo courtesy of drugstore.com

Gossip Girl Fashion: Summer, Kind of Wonderful

Welcome to the belated first edition of my Gossip Girl fashion recaps!

The main problem with this episode is the fact that all the summery fashions that they featured are not looking as interesting right now since wools and jewel toned fall clothes are cramming all the stores.

Still, with a DC indian summer almost guaranteed, there were a few google-worthy dresses.

First up, Serena's silky looking tank dress was Vena Cava and is currently on sale at Revolve Clothing.  Although, like many of my friends did with their field hockey skirts, you'll have to hem it about six inches to achieve this look.  

The bag is Chanel, and, as a note to costumers, make it look like she's carrying more than a lipgloss in there.  Real New York private schoolers carry about 8 tons of crap including three half empty cartons of cigarettes, crumpled receipts from your parents' credit card, an oversized Gucci wallet and three electronic devices.  That thing would be bulging at the patent seams.

Blair is sporting the Garden Party dress from Alice + Olivia and good luck if you want one.  It seems like it's sold out across the internets.  However, if you just love the pattern, there is a blouse in the same pattern available.  The purse is Kate Spade.

At the White Party, which is super trashy in real life, Blair's adorable mini dress is Marc by Marc Jacobs, also shortened to crotch baring levels.  However, her shoes like the crappy ones that came with Barbie dolls in the late 1980's.  

Clunky!  And not in a good way.

Serena's fabulous grecian looking dress is Oscar de la Renta from Spring 08. If you can find it or even find a price tag, god bless. I also think this would make a stellar wedding dress if you are so inclined. Maybe with a little less boob, but still. Also, why does Serena kissing look like a bob and weave act?  It's freaky.

Last, my favorite dress for real life is Blair's green Milly dress.  If this episode had aired in June, I would have dropped everything and bought the dress, but alas, with fall looming large, I'll hold out and see what kind of preppy blazers and knee high boots are in store in future episodes...

Until next time...well, you know the line.

(just a caveat about these, I'm only picking the fashions I liked best.  If there is something I can try to track down, let me know in the comments and I'll do my best.)

photos courtesy of gossipgirlinsider.com and teamsugar.com

Third Time's the Charm: Part One

In which our heroine (that's me!) tries out various mascaras to find one that meets all of her needs.  

Ok, we've all seen the ads with Drew Barrymore flaunting her huge fat lashes on tv while hawking Cover Girl Lash Blast.

The tube echoes that fat volumtastic lash appeal.

But in practice?

Not blowing my skirt up, if you know what I mean.

It was not really a thick volume boosting formula, but a thin wet coat that made my lashes stick together and smudge on my lower eyelids.

So, Drew, I think much like Charlie's Angels 2, I'll pass on this offering.

photo courtesy of drugstore.com

A Peace Offering

Some of you may have noticed the lack of Project Runway recapping this season.

Wellllll....

To be perfectly frank, my heart just isn't in it.

I'm not sure when it happened.  Maybe it was the thirtieth bubble skirt walking down the runway.  Maybe it was the faux hawks gone mad.  Maybe it was the perfect storm of the third person narratives, forced catchphrases, and guest star judges.

But somewhere along the line I lost interest and I haven't been able to muster the snark to produce a recap of any decent quality.

For recaps worth your reading time, I direct you to New York Magazine's The Cut and all the good stuff from Blogging Project Runway.

And, as the aforementioned peace offering, I propose doing a weekly recap of the fashions of Gossip Girl.  Since I often find myself googling frantically at lunch on Tuesdays to find Blair's cute dresses or Serena's knee high boots, I thought others might be doing the same.  

Truce?

Fashion Catfight

Over my mini-break, I got a chance to catch up with some of my magazine reading. It was a little jarring to read something NOT in the three column Federal Register style, but a welcome break.

In the Fall Fashion issue of New York magazine, there was a fantastic article about the behind-the-scenes infighting at Elle Magazine between Nina Garcia and Anne Slowey.

The rival camps, the loyalties, the clothes!

A great read and it gives an interesting insight into how Project Runway took off and a preview of the new fashion reality show, Stylista (which happens to feature DC's very own Johanna!) premiering this fall.

Enjoy!

Read All About It!

Sorry for the lack of posts here, but I've been enjoying a little downtime in Vermont without access to internet...a weird feeling for any modern girl.

So I didn't get a chance to post on Wednesday about my interview with the Washingtonian!

It's a part of their Blogger Beat series, where they catch up with DC bloggers and chat about the stuff we know best.

Read all about my must haves for beauty, my style pet peeves, and a little bit about the inspiration behind the name of my blog!

Just Asking

Does anyone else want to punch that chick in the Secret Flawless Deodorant commercial?

So Familiar, Yet So New

A few weeks ago, I was chatting with my eye doctor at my yearly appointment.

You know...shooting the breeze about glaucoma, contacts and detached retinas when the subject of eye makeup remover came up.

Don't ask.

He asked me what I used, to which I proudly responded, Almay Oil Free!  Most popular eye makeup remover in America!

I like to vote with the majority, you know?

Much to my surprise, he told me that the BEST eye makeup remover is actually diluted Johnson's Baby Shampoo.

The yellow stuff.

That everyone uses on their child's head.

HUH.

Color me shocked.  

But I tried it, and no joke, it's really good.  I mix a little of the baby shampoo with a little water and put it on a cotton pad and wipe away.  I still have trouble with some of the waterproof mascara, but it works as well, if not better, than the Almay pads.

It's super cheap, especially if you already have it in the house (presumably for your baby).

And the best?  

No more tears.  For sure.

Target, Here I Come

Target continues to impress me with their sheer awesomeness....

I spotted an ad for a Jemma Kidd makeup line hitting stores soon!

But it gets better, not only is it Jemma Kidd, but also Napoleon Perdis and Pixi.  Not only are these lines you normally only find at department stores and Sephora, they can be difficult to find, even there!

However...no word on when these are hitting shelves...Has anyone seen these yet?

Also in Target news, I've heard disappointing things about the Botkier bags, but the Richard Chai GO line looks pretty wearable.  I'm digging the rose print sweetheart neck dress.

I've also spotted these Isaac Mizrahi gladiator sandals on just about everyone.

Super cute.  Super cheap.

What more can a girl ask for?

Except that they not give you a rash or fall apart after a week.

photos courtesy of nylonmag.com and target.com

Friday News!

Cancel your plans to take a summer Friday RIGHT NOW.

That's right.

You will want to be glued to your desk at 2 pm when Kelly Taylor herself (I have trouble with that fourth wall thing) will be hosting a Washington Post Chat!!

In case you've been living under a rock, Kelly will be back on the new version of 90210 where she will be back as a guidance counselor at good old West Beverly High.

She's almost as old as the actress who played Andrea now.

So, now that the theme music is totally stuck in my head, let's remember some the Kelly Taylor highlights in this American TV masterpiece:

The sleepover at the Walsh's when that bitchy one-episode friend makes Kelly tell the story about how she really lost her virginity, which was actually date rape. This show was about MORALS, people!

The one where she chooses "me" over Brendan and Dylan's weird proposals.

When she became a coke fiend!

The one where she almost got raped by that football player. Wait...I think that happened a few times.

The mother daughter fashion show!

Oh man. I miss the 90's. Ok, got to do some work, but post your fave Bev Niner moments in the comments and check out the chat later today!