Holiday Inspirtation: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is around the corner and even if you're single you can still dress up and get into the holiday spirit! I personally like to think of it as a day to tell ALL the people I love how much I appreciate them. I'll probably spend my V-Day watching cheesy romantic movies and indulging in some sweet treats.

I've been trying to experiment more with makeup and the one place I feel really comfortable is with lipstick. Last week I saw a pic of Hilary Duff rocking some fuchsia lipstick on her Instagram and I immediately wanted to try it. I picked up Rebel by MAC which is a vibrant, berry-red and absolutely gorgeous.

 

I actually wore the lipstick out over the weekend and it lasted all night long and was still on my lips the next morning. Warning this shade does stain your lips! I like that it's not too purple and it's more playful than regular red lipstick.

I also came across this adorable sweatshirt on ETSY by ICaughtTheSun that I think would be perfect to wear to class or a casual night out on the 14th. It's similar to one by Wildfox but much more affordable.

The Dazzle Pocket Sweatshirt

I hope whoever you spend it with you have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Updated Skincare Routine: Clarisonic Mia

I've been using the Clarisonic Mia now for almost 2 months now and I have to say I'm very pleased with the results. I had to update my skincare routine about a year ago when my skin stopped responding to the facial cleanser I had been using for years. I started noticing dry flaky skin in between my eye brows and then my nose and cheecks would be extremely oil/shiny. It was frustrating because I've always had really clear, even skin. Then around last Spring and Summer I started breaking out a lot more than ever on my forehead and cheeks and suffered from higher pigmenation from scarring. 

I had read about the Oil Cleansing Method before and thought it would be a good idea to give it a try since it's a more natural approach. However my skin didn't like it and reacted badly which you can read about here. It's at this point I should have realized I have sensitive skin.

OOTW Jan 14th-Jan 17th

Here are some outfits I wore this week. I'm still trying to figure out the Nikon D5100 out and it can be a bit frustrating/annoying since I've never taken photography lessons. I'm also ridiculous in the fact that I HATE reading manuals. I prefer to just figure it out myself. Anyway sorry if the pics are a bit blurry.

Monday

Sweater: Target/ Leggings: Topshop/ Booties: Target/ Necklace: Forever 21

Tuesday

Sweater: Forever 21/ Leggings: Topshop/ Booties: Target/ Necklace: Gift/ Watch: Michael Kors

Wednesday

Sweater: Forever 21/ Jeans: Articles of Socitey/ Boots: Franco Sarto/ Scarf: Pashmina

Thursday

Sweater: Forever 21/ Jeans: Francesca's Collection/ Booties: Target/ Headband: Nordstrom

I must be in a green/blue mood since I incorporated so much of both colors in what I wore this week. Also you can see I repeat items a lot throughout the week. Hope you all had a wonderful week and thanks for reading!

What I'm Listening To: Jessie Ware

Photo Credit: (AP Photo/ Interscope/Cherrytree)

I just purchased this EP on iTunes and for only $3.45 it's definitely worth it. Jessie Ware's voice reminds me of another one of my British faves Delilah in that it's soulful and sultry. It draws you in and makes you just want to keep listening.

OOTD: Black Booties & Pink Headband

Hey There! Hope your week has been good so far, especially since it's almost Friday :) My classes started again this week and I'm already loving this semester. I'm taking nothing but psychology classes as prerequisites for graduate school (switched over from pre-med) but I know I'm going to enjoy learning the material because all my professors are so engaging and passionate about what they're teaching. Here is what I wore today on campus. It was a bit of warm day (40 degrees) so I wore these booties I just got at Target, the last ones in my size!

Sweater: Nordstrom & Leggings: Topshop

Style Inspiration: Designing Women

I've recently been watching the show Designing Women with my mom. I used to watch it with her when I was little but obviously didn't understand what was going on half the time. My brother and I bought her the DVDs for seasons 1-4 for various birthdays and Christmases and she and I have been having a marathon while I'm off for break.

The show, which ran from 1986-1993, centers around 4 Atlanta women working at a interior design firm, Sugarbaker & Associates. The firm is headed by Julia Sugarbaker and her sister Suzanne. Julia and Suzanne are polar opposites. Julia is an elegant, out-spoken, liberal intellectual and Suzanne is a materialistic, self-centered former Miss Georgia World. Their co-workers are Mary Jo Shively, the shy, strong-willed decorator and Charlene Fraizer, the sweet but naïve office manager. Their deliveryman, Anthony, an ex-con trying to turn his life around after being wrongfully imprisoned brings some male perspective to the ladies conversations and problems.

Though it's a comedy, the show also covered many topical and controversial issues such as racism, homophobia, racism, AIDS, hostile societal attitudes towards the overweight, and spousal abuse. Feminism is also a big theme and it's interesting how the issues women faced 26 years ago when the show first aired like equal pay, are still being dealt with today.

Designing Women The Complete First Season

The show takes place in the late 80s/ early 90s and the clothing really fits the era. There is a lot of big hair and bright colors going on. I did notice that trends we see today, like peplum, were also popular at the time. I wanted to take each of the character's wardrobes and update them. Though the show takes place in Atlanta the women are often seen wearing jackets and coats so I included outerwear that I thought would fit each character.

Lulu's Spring Lookbook

Though it's far from Spring, especially here in the mid-west, when it comes to fashion you always have to be thinking ahead. Lulu's has new items from their spring look book up and here are some of the ones that I'm lusting over.

Dream On White Lace Top ($49)

Be More Pacific Blue Tropical Print Shorts ($30)

Rooftop Garden Maxi Dress ($51)

Catcalls Cat-Eye Sunglasses ($10)

Betsey Johnson Blonddee Turquoise Multi T Strap Peep Toe Heels
($117)

Looking at these gives me hope for warmer days as I shiver away another Michigan winter! Hope your warm wherever you are, dear reader!