Feast Your Eyes On This, Friday

{Vintage Redford}

In this season of feasting, it's only fitting that we have a little pre-gorge warm-up. And nothing creates a feeding frenzy for the eyes quite like Mr. Redford, circa 1973. Now, this is my idea of a low calorie indulgence.

Bon weekend!

What Was Sista Thinking? Wednesday

{Over the Knee: Overkill}

We've all fallen prey to trend pressure. You're shopping and notice a new insert trend here. Not to worry. You're a keen fashion hound and your trail sniffer can smell a "you're going to regret this" purchase from a mile away. You shake your head in disbelief wondering how someone could buy that, and then rest assured that it will end up on the 99% off rack. Days go by, and you start noticing that no longer are Tacky Tammie and Impulsive-Buying Ina the only ones wearing the "totally regrettable mistake." But now Stylish Susie and Hollywood Holly are working that insert trend here and boy do they look fab. And slowly but surely, that "once was an eye sore, regrettable mistake, 99% off rack" turns into an "I will eat Ramen, endless leftovers, and no Starbucks for the rest of the month" just to have you join me.

I'll admit it, some of my personal eyesores that now reside in my closet are: skinny jeans (thought they were for angry girls who wanted to pretend like they were the  misunderstood/rocker/groupie type) and dominatrix heels (no longer reserved for ladies of the night).

However, there is one that I just can't and wont get over: Over the knee boots.

All you need to polish off this look is a pole and some single dollar bills. The only person who ever truly rocked them was:

And what her character's profession? Ah, yes. 

Case closed.

Feast Your Eyes On This, Friday

There's something about fall that makes me want to curl up on a sleeping porch in the mountains with a cup of coffee, swimming in blankets, with Alison Krauss or James Taylor playing in the background. Phoebe Howard just took me to paradise. Her idea of a sleeping porch is my idea of heaven. (I must admit that sleeping porch is a bit humble for what this is. If it's a sleeping porch, then Versailles is a home in the country.)

Photos courtesy of Phoebe Howard

Sista WAS Thinking, Wednesday

{A Case for Lace}

I know that Wednesday is normally my day to hate on some serious beauty, fashion, and general blunders. But every now and then, we've got to hand out a, "Job well done," to our sisters who really have it going on. Thank you, Annie. You always are the perfect combination of femininity and classic elegance mixed with the modern girl. I'm especially fond of this killer McQueen dress she wore at her One Day premiere. 

The intricate lace with a tea-length hem and just that right amount of curve hugging. Exquisite. 

Love this detail shot. Killer jewels and bag with a pop of pink nail lacquer and a juicy lip. Done and done.

Feast Your Eyes On This, Friday!

{Fummer}

We are officially in Fummer-- the perfect overlap of fall and summer. And all I want to do is enjoy an outdoor living space. Just curl up with a glass of rosé and enjoy the gloriousness of the weather. This seemed like the perfect spot to do just that:

Photo by Robert Trachtenberg

Bon weekend!

What Was Sista Thinking? Wednesday (even though it's Thursday)

{Man Repellers}

We've all been there. You see a girl in smokin' hot ensemble.  You're seething with jealousy, oohing and ahhing over her new ombre hair highlights or lusting for her eskimo fur cape or that fab new cashmere sweater that in your mind is very a la Mary Kate and Ashley-- oversized, slouchy, and statement making. But in reality it's an overpriced, slightly depressing trashbag of a garment that swallowed her whole. The only person sitting there noticing the trainwreck is... no, not Anna Wintour, or Sienna Miller, or any trendsetter for that matter... it's your poor, pitiful man friend. Nine times out of 10, guys just get it wrong when it comes to understanding the world of Venus. They're too preoccupied with Mars, picking apart last week's game over a brewski with their broskis. However, when it comes to fashion, they know a thing or two about being trendy without being tranny. Here are my favorite Man Repellers (Google it-- there is a whole blog dedicated to this subject):

In your eyes: You see the red sole. Enough said.
In his eyes: Road kill strapped to a shoe. (I won't even mention the price tag)

In your eyes: Edgy. Forging the front lines of fashion.
In his eyes: Must have a terrible case of hemroids to call for crotch cocoon.

Make It Work! Monday

{Eye Makeup Remover}

Don't you hate it when you run out of makeup remover and you practically have to scrub off four layers of skin just to get it off. All you need is a touch of baby oil or gentle lotion to do the trick. Just apply like you would any old makeup remover-- cotton ball, wipe away makeup, done and done.

Johnson & Johnson's Baby Oil

Bonus tip: Dip an angle brush in baby oil and water then use it to transform any of your powder shadows to liquid liner. Try a deep navy or aubergine for a smoldery fall look.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Wish It Was Friday, Thursday

Dearest Bradblog followers,

My sincerest apologies for the famine that hit my blog. I'm back in the game! Now, let's get to what we really care about... stuff. Pretty stuff.

I was sitting at my desk, wanting something refreshing. So, what does any person in this decade do when they want something? They google it. Compliments of Google Image (and my sorting hat), these totally hit my refreshing spot. Hope they make you jealous for the weekend and thrilled that it's almost here!

McDreamy

A man who knows what he wants and goes after it=so refreshing.

Feast Your Eyes On This, Friday

{Bodacious Blooms}

Let's be honest, we're all sick of talking about budgets, the economy, joblessness, and basically having no hope for anything promising other than potentially qualifying for food stamps. But I think it is critical to be indulgent every now and then. My three happy places: 1) Bubble baths. With sparkling water and a lemon, lime, and orange wedge with flamenco music in the background. 2) Starbucks. A cheap habit that adds up fast, but so worth it. 3) Flowers. Even if I'm going to be doing one-dish leftovers for the entire week, I always seem to find away to have a little vase of flowers by my bed. 

Note to the men: Don't buy red roses (or any roses unless they're heirloom, for that matter). Guys think girls like them. We don't. They're cliché. And this is just a personal note for my Mr. Right who is most certainly reading this, don't get me daisies (gerber or regular). They just remind me of a VW Beetle for some reason.

Ranunculus. My flower of the moment. 

Sometimes one big bloom is all you need. 

Girly and haphazard. A perfect combination.

Sometimes you just need an excuse to use your favorite vase.

Ball jars next to a lacquered green candle. Love.

Don't over-think it. Sometimes the least amount of thought is the best when it comes to arranging.

So glam and low-key all at the same time.

Blue and white will never fail.

There's something so indulgent about flowers in a bathroom. It's like they're there just for you to see and no one else.

Nothin freshens up a kitchen like spring hydrangeas.

Perfect on the walls. Perfect on the nightstand.

Pictures like this make me so thankful God made me a girl.

A tight bundle...

Or a loose grouping.

 For an extra pop in a muted room.

Or something soft in a bold space. 

On a stack of books or a bench.

Mixing modern, simple, and antique.

To greet you.

Bon weekend!

What Was Sista Thinking? Wednesday

{The Art of Crassy}

I saw this article in the July Allure. It is far too good to pass up. All I ask is that you don't get your panties in a wad about this. I had plenty of thing on the Trashy list that I j'adore: Kobe Beef Sliders. Yes, please. I love my fair share of tickity tack-- sequin anything, the more bejeweled the better. Besides, I'd way rather be trashy than crassy. At least if you're trashy, you're reveling in the trainwreck. Crassiness involves total oblivion. Being completely unaware of trying too hard. Now that, is truly trashy. And while I'm on a roll, I think the word "classy" is crassy. PS: I love blogging because I get to say the things I think in my head without it being too terribly offensive. Glorious!

Courtesy of Allure

Here are some of my crassy/tacky additions:

Exploiting your designer gear (especially when it's emblazoned with their logo). And, Paris Hilton, for that matter. She is the epitome of Crassy. Can you think of anyone who tries harder?

Square. French. Manicure. The square took it from Trashy to Trailer Park.

What are your favorite crassies and trashies?

What Was Sista Thinking? Wednesday

{The Art of Crassy}


I saw this article in the July Allure. It is far too good to pass up. All I ask is that you don't get your panties in a wad about this. I had plenty of thing on the Trashy list that I j'adore: Kobe Beef Sliders. Yes, please. I love my fair share of tickity tack-- sequin anything, the more bejeweled the better. Besides, I'd way rather be trashy than crassy. At least if you're trashy, you're reveling in the trainwreck. Crassiness involves total oblivion. Being completely unaware of trying too hard. Now that, is truly trashy. (And while I'm on a roll, I think the word "classy" is crassy.) PS: I love blogging because I get to say the things I think in my head without it being too terribly offensive. Glorious!

Courtesy of Allure

Here are some of my crassy/tacky additions:

Tuesday: Tip of The Day

{Summer Skincare}

Ever wonder why your face breaks out in the summer but is flawless in the winter? You're using the same products, in the same order, and nothing has changed but the multitude of blackheads that have recently made a happy home in your T-Zone. I think it's time for an eviction! I've provided your motivational anthem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IADdGzHreFQ

1. Cleanse: If you have combination skin or are prone to breakouts (we're talking mild, not excessive acne) then you should be using a cleanser with glycolic acid. The acid acts as an exfoliator. 


2. Exfoliate: Now, some of you think that because your skin is broken out, that you need to start using sandpaper to scrub off your blackheads. Wrong! Over exfoliating dries out skin and can make breakouts even worse. Use a good exfoliator 2-3 times a week.


3. Diet: Lay off the dairy. I love me some ice cream and cheese but resist the temptation to overdo it. And we all know it, but I'm here to say it again: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. H2O is your bff.


4. Tone: Some find it meaningless, but think of it as a back-up cleanser. It just takes the clean factor one step further.


5. Moisturize: No, humidity doesn't count as a moisturizer. Although the air may feel thicker than lotion, moisturizing is one of the key things of clear summer skin. Use a light gel or serum. It hydrates skin but is a lighter formula than cream. Try one with acid if you're breakouts are more severe. (I use a salicylic gel on my T-Zone and a light serum everywhere else).  

Raves and Favs

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, $15; mariobadescu.com

Triple Action Organic Scrub for Acne, $49; sonyadakar.com

Clarifying Lotion #2, $12.50; clinique.com

Acne Lotion, $27; glytone-usa.com

Hydrating B5 Gel, $69; skinceuticals.com