The EMMY'S

Sunday night was the Emmy awards, and I have a few things to say about that fashion!

This comes, like the Harry Potter Series, in 7 parts.

1) I am so excited about all the structured, architectural details that are on trend. 
Sexy, edgy, figure flattering...

                                                    Zosie Mamet                                 Emily Van Camp
                                               in Bihbu Mahopatra                                in J. Mendel

                                           Jenna Malone                                                Glenn Close
                                                in J. Mendel                                       in Bihbu Mahopatra 
                          (watch that Angelina leg sweetheart!)

Periwinkle Sparkle French Tips: Party Time Weekend Edition!

I just had to brag about these, you guys. Because I did 'em free hand! All by myself! I'll be sitting absolutely still for the next hour in attempts not to smudge them...

What I did:

1) 2 coats sparkle polish

2) Slowly, slowly, paint a thin tip in color of your choice. Add a second coat if necessary.

3) Apply topcoat just as the tips are almost dry- the topcoat won't smudge the tips, but it will smooth them out.

4) Marvel at your mad skillz!

-B

DIY Embellished Shades

 DIY embellished sunglasses are everywhere right now, folks. Inspired by runway looks such as Marc Jacobs, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana, sloughs of fashion bloggers have been posting creative tutorials on how to spruce up your sunnies for cheap!

It goes a little something like this:

Steps 1-3: Hot glue a ton of sparkly shit to your sunglasses.

Step 4: Wear them and be fabulous.

(Top left to right, click for tutorial: Glitter n' Glue, Refinery 29, Studs and Pearls, A Matter of Style)

(The ladies at Nissa Jewelry added some chains to their sunnies- expect to see more of these)

The beauty of this project is that you can be as subtle or outrageous ad you'd like. Pictured above are seed beads, cabochons, nail decals, and even repurposed earrings! Istanbul has a sad lack of craft stores... but it does have a CRAFT DISTRICT. And you can bet that I'll be there this weekend with a keen eye for anything that might look great on a pair of shades. I have a feeling it will be sparkly.

What do you think of these DIY eye candies? Would you rather stick with your unadorned wayfarers?

NY Fashion Week: Makeup!

Hello lovelies,

Claire here!
School is crazzzzzzzy busy, but I've had some time to think about makeup, don't you worry :D
I've been obsessing over the makeup featured at the recently adjourned New York Fashion Week.  The look of the moment is a fresh face and naked lips, sometimes with a bright pink or blue 60s inspired eye. So fun, playful, and yet very easy to do! 

Etsy Roundup Part Deux

Ladies and Gents, we present to you another Etsy Roundup, curated with love! Leave a comment and tell us what your favorite pick is!

(From left to right: Unicorn ring, Rorschach Ink Blot print, Booksi for iPod/iPhone, Butterfly collar, Nightmare Before Christmas Converse, Lolita skull earrings)

-Claire & Berit

Fall Style Tips II: Right on Time

I've never been much of a watch person. Maybe it's because I've grown up in the digital age, always using my cell to check the time, or because watches have always felt more like an adult necessity rather than another accessory. 

 For reasons unknown even to me, I brought my watch to Istanbul and haven't stopped wearing it since I arrived. I've also noticed that Turkish people are really into watches -my Turkish friends own as many stylish watches as they do bags, and they're sold everywhere by street hawkers. 

If ever there was a right time to invest in a timepiece it's Fall, when we all have to start checking the clock again and act like grown-ups. Watches are practical, versatile, and sophisticated (outshone only by the monacle). Plus, you're guaranteed to find one that suits your style and purpose. 

Fall Style Tips II: Right on Time by raincitystylistas2 featuring asos

Rubber watch, $64 / Watch / ASOS / Geneva wrap watch / ASOS , $35

(Via LookBook)

I'm beginning to appreciate watches as both a practicality and an opportunity to make a statement. What's your verdict?

-B 

Style Profile: Florence Welch

Can we all just stop for a minute and recognize how amazing Florence Welch is?

(If you don't know, she is the Florence from Florence + the Machine.
If you don't know, Florence + the Machine makes great music)

Her voice is both powerful and tender, her hair is fiery and fabulous, and her style is superb.

Plus she is british so she speaks english in a far more attractive way that I do. 

She effortlessly blends romantic and dreamy with edgy and punky 

and tosses in some eccentricity and weirdness to boot. 

I love her penchant for evocative bohemian prints and floaty fabric. 

And man can she bring the DRAMA.  

It's astonishing how hard she rocks her look, this sugar is taking no prisoners.   

Let her be an inspiration to us all.  Oh, I love you Flo.

Any celebrities/artists that you think have inspiring style?

Stay lovely!

♥ 

Claire

Trippy Business: Prabal Gurung's Orchid Rorschach Collection & OOTD

I've always been really taken with the use of symmetrical inkblot-style imagery, especially Rorschach patterns, in fashion. I think it began with Alexander McQueen (doesn't everything begin with McQueen?), but at any rate, it's a technique that has surfaced here and there on the runways but rarely in places where non-millionares can purchase them. 

The most recent appearance of of these acid trip-evoking textiles in couture was executed most elegantly by Prabal Gurung, a newer kid on the fashion block who has lived, worked, and studied all throughout Southern Asia. Here's a few pieces from his Spring 2012 collection:

Botany + Psychology: Prabal Gurung's Orchid Rorschach Collection by raincitystylistas2 featuring a floral blazer

Prabal Gurung floral print dress, $1,120 / Prabal Gurung floral top, $670 / Prabal Gurung floral blazer, $1,485

Imagine my delight when I found this floral shift on a sale rack in Turkey for under $20 USD! Though the pattern is much less subtle than Gurung's, sometimes you just have to wear the plainest shoes you can find and let the garment do it's thing.

 (Plus the *subtle* presence of flora on my pelvis is totally a metaphor for my feminine mystique!)

Do these kind of prints whet your whistles whatsoever? Alliteration. 

-B 

P.S. Happy September! 

UPDATE:  
Guess what Kate Middleton wore this week during her Royal tour of Asia with the Duke?

Product Review: LUSH Solid Shampoo and Conditioner

Ok, so about LUSH.  

They have a great philosophy:

-from the website

However, their products are really hit or miss.  

Luckily you have ME to let you know which products are amazing and which are not-so-much!  

Today, I wanna talk about the Solid Hair Products.  

First: the Solid Shampoo Bars.   AMAZING.  

They all smell good, and they are amazing for your hair, 

the packaging is super environmentally friendly (no packaging at all!) 

and you can always get the perfect amount in your hair (no more estimating in your hand) 

by rubbing it straight onto your scalp.  

I love Jumping Juniper 

(Juniper, lemon, and lime oils, Rosemary and lavender decoction) 

and Ultimate Shine 

(ylang ylang and violet leaf oils with some delicious gardenia extract)

 but I would visit a LUSH store, or the website, to find one that is just right for your hair.  

Second, Jungle - the solid conditioner.  

Avoid this product.  

It is expensive and it DOES NOT WORK.  

It boasts cocoa butter and fruit extract, but it is a FAIL.

There is no way to get it to actually apply to your hair, and it doesn't condition!

Such a bummer, it is a great idea.  

But DO go for their liquid potted conditioners, such as:

 Retread

"Fruity hair reclamation"

or Okra

"for hair in phenomenally bad condition"

 

These are yummy and make your hair ohhhhhhh so soft and luxurious.

To summarize: DEFINITELY invest in a solid shampoo and a liquid or potted conditioner.  

AVOID the solid conditioner.  

Ok, hugs and kisses

♥

Claire