I stopped wearing makeup

Working downtown is a constant struggle between being able to do what I like (i.e. looking nice), and being able to do what I can to not get accosted. It's easy to stick out in this part of town if you're dressed in clothes that either are a) clean or b) not a bright purple/mustard/lightning blue colored polyester suit. Things are also more difficult if you're a girl, as I am. Just the other day, I was picking up some takeout (this city does boast some pretty good thai) and on my way back to my car, this black guy - wearing what I took to be one of Cliff Huxtable's old sweaters, and, of course, bling - started hooting at me like an owl from his parked rusty white minivan. Nice.

I realize that really this happens to everybody everywhere, but when it happens in my specific area it's so much more annoying and violating. So I basically made up my mind last week to stop wearing things that make me presentable since it's such a waste. First thing on my list was to nix the makeup in the morning, and opt for a more "fresh" appearance. I'm sure it was probably very shocking to my co-workers, as I am one of those people who look completely different when going bare. Maybe ugly is the word I'm going for, which is perfect for my plan in surviving this city. I don't know what's scarier: My makeup free skin or getting hollered at by the toothless parking lot attendants by Comerica Park.

I've noticed since last week that my skin has gotten a lot glowier though in the absense of my suffocating makeup, and I'm kindof liking being ignored at the gas station now. I'm going to jet tail it to Sephora this weekend to stock some products that will induce a healthier makeup-free complexion, because while not making myself up has become my drastic plan of action, letting myself go and being completely ugly is just pushing it. I love fabulousness, after all.

The snack of the truly ghetto fab...

I'd love to see what glorious person was eating these:(You can't see it but the small writing on the purple strip says "stay in school")

Sometimes, I love this city. Sometimes.

Lazy Wardrobe Revamp

So it's been quite a while since I've shopped for anything besides makeup and shoes, and usually when I haven't done anything to keep my clothes updated for a while I start to feel overwhelmed. Mostly because when I look at all new collections I want to get everything at once and get frustrated because I know I can't, and while staple pieces are just fine and dandy, I'd much rather have fun and exciting new up-to-date clothes. Which is why I was so delighted this morning while I was perusing the new Elizabeth and James spring '08 line.

Normally I don't buy into celebrity clothing lines because I think most celebrity affiliations with labels are tacky, but I think the Olsens have done a good job keeping their name completely out of their collections The Row, and Elizabeth and James (named after their younger siblings). Plus I just love every single one of their pieces, and it's more or less the kind of clothes that I can see myself wearing at least for the next year or so. Unlike the Kate Moss Topshop line, which was pretty relevant this past year in Barneys Co-ops nationwide, the E&J line seems to be better quality when it comes to fabric and make. I love lines that are so effortless and easy to put together and I've been wearing way too much Marc by Marc Jacobs these past few years and I'm getting kindof tired of the cutesy colorful clothes, so I think I'll give this line a try.

I've always been a sucker for any kind of fringed mini-dress, and this one is a nice version to the classic. It's a nice party dress to have on hand but hopefully when the occasion calls for this dress, my body will be in tip top shape. It doesn't leave much to the imagination. The best part about it is that supposedly it is machine washable (score!!)

Again, my legs will have to be slammin' in order to pull these off, but i'm determined.

Am I all about the dress or something this season? I know there are tons of versions out there of this sillhouette, but when I was in high school the look I always aspired to emulate was good old Jennifer Aniston's. I haven't lost that admiration apparently and every so often I always find myself admiring something that I can't help but think she would be wearing right now.

This ridiculous model doesn't do this ultra cool blazer justice. The Elizabeth and James website shows this jacket belted on their model with incredibly chic boots, exactly what I have lurking in my closet waiting to see the light of day.

It's not that I'm so uncreative that I want to jack the styling of this celebrity fashion line, it's that I'm so lazy right now to actually completely revamp my entire wardrobe by spending the whole entire day at the mall, or all morning at work and having to pay shipping. I'd rather just knock it all out in one go.

And the 'Auf goes to...

My Predictions for this upcoming week's Project Runway:

1) Victoria Beckham will smile

2) Sweet Pea will be the one to overstress and underdeliver

3) Christian will say "so fierce" approximately 24 times before his garment walks down the runway

4) Rami will continue to annoy me with that same dress he keeps draping over and over

5) Michael Kors will outqueen Tim Gunn

6) Nina Garcia will dazzle me yet again with her always perfect hair

7) I will not miss Ricky

My thighs take over Manhattan...

What's more frightening: the Cloverfield monster, or that it's only mid-January and my thighs have gotten marshmallow-y enough that my friends could feed off of them if the world really did end...?

So Fierce

So what was probably the best episode of this season's Project Runway aired last night, which is such a relief because the first couple of episodes were such a bore. I thought that the avant-garde project just produced such great results, considering there were only four different looks (excluding the everyday looks, which were pretty much just throwaways except for team christian/chris).



So far i this season i've been very blah about the clothes - the only reason i've stuck with the show for season four is basically because i looove christian and chris. And of course to my delight last night they were paired up as a team to make an avant-garde look, which produced some very spectacular results.


I also equally loved Jillian and Victorya's avant-garde jacket; it so made the look and just showed how a really great coat can create a whole look on its own. they were very creative for being the only team to come up with a look that wasnt a dress, and it was all executed very well when the model unbuttoned it at the end of the runway to reveal an incredibly well made blouse (although i didnt think it was very avant-garde), and it didn't even matter that those pants were horrendous and the second look was so last minute thrown together. I waited the whole season for looks like this, and was able to breath a nice sigh of relief when that glorious look walked down the runway. It's just too bad that there weren't more like it.
I didn't even realize that there are only six contestants left now, which is a big thing, because now it starts to get serious. I remember last season around this time is when Angela and Jeffrey were starting to be at each other's throats after that mom challenge, and it was all claws afterwards even until the very last episode between Laura and Jeffrey. It doesn't look yet as if there is a super huge antagonist this season, i know they've tried to portray Victorya as a villian, but really she just seems to be this type A person who just can't work in a team because she is only comfortable with having things go her way, as we saw between her and Jillian last night when they had to flip a coin because they both were unwilling to give in to letting the other be team leader (hilarious).

The only "villain" i think might emerge from these final six is Rami - they way he treated Sweet Pea in this last challenge was very unneccessary. It seems that he has the same kind of ego that Jeffrey and Santino of season's past had that was so conflicting with the other contestants and viewers that kept them all from being a fan favorite even thought they were all incredibly talented in their own respects.

All in all, no one has really butted heads with each other, everyone just seems to be holding their own heads and stressing out. It'll be interesting to see what new stresses are coming next week. My predictions are that ricky is to be booted off next - he has to be, has has failed to show a single strong piece at all, and i think the judges are just waiting to pounce on him next.

Replacing my Uggs

I've had the same pair of Classic Short Uggs in Sand for about five years now, and they are starting to show their age. I have tried using the Ugg Sheepskin Cleaner, but am getting tired of having to wait a whole day for my boots to dry after every cleaning. I was thinking of scrapping my original pair and opting for a cleaner, shinier set. I don't really wear them anymore as part of the classic "Ugg Uniform" (jeans/leggings/tights tucked in) - now they've kindof become my slouchy shoes, when i dont feel like going out in the cold in a cute outfit, I throw them on and go. I know people still think that it's stylish to wear them with pants tucked in, but i've had these things so long I don't think of them as a cute accessory that would add to my outfit anymore, because now I really just wear them to keep warm. Which begs the question, should I buy another pair to replace them, or would it just be a waste because i'm not going to really use them for anything other than keeping my feet warm in this cold Michigan weather? The ones I own still are quite warm, but are like the equivalent to one's old ratty tennis shoes. I must say though, I have gotten some very good mileage out of them and they are still very functional. I just can't see myself without my warm Uggs this winter...

Dropping my christmas list hints...

So here i am again, i must be bored because i just remembered that i had started this thing. Thanks to my cousin who sent me a link to a nameless chick's blog who we shall call "Harry Potter" - i'm back on the blogging track, and what better to use it for than to drop some hints of what I would like to receive for christmas? (besides world peace and love for all mankind, of course...)

I was browsing my local Sephora trying to not find things for me, but for the people I love. Alas:

Bvlgari Rose Essentielle Perfume $62-69.00

Apparently I am a Bvgari girl, I already have Omnia Crystalline, and I only recently tried the Omnia Amythyste which I loved but didn't buy for myself because if felt too much like Crystalline because they come in basically the same bottle, which I know is silly since they smell entirely different, but I guess that's more or less my reason. Anyways, Rose Essentielle is absolutely perfect for those who don't love that "alcoholic-y" perfume smell that makes most perfumes stick; it's quite light and flowery without smelling old lady like, which Bvulgari gets right every time. It's very fresh and according to the description, has some tones of blackberry as well. Sooo yummy.

Sephora usually has the best gift sets all year round, so Christmas time is just another excuse to check them out.

Caudalie VinoGo Weekend Kit ($50 value) $32.00

The cute little kit includes the Instant Foaming Cleanser, a full size Beauty Elixir, Contour Eye & Lip Cream, Energizing Skin Cream, the Cabernet Shower Gel, Nourishing Body Lotion and the Lip Conditioner in a full size. Everything in this kit meets travel regulation standards - the bag is see through, and everything is under 3.0 oz - and the bottle for the cleanser is even refillable! And I've always loved the Beauty Elixer - much better than those "refreshers" that you buy that are basically just water in a spray can. The Beauty Elixer has all sorts of essential oils for your tired skin, and smells pleasant to boot.

Clarisonic Skincare Brush, $195.00

I put this on my christmas list to my mother as my big gift. Who needs pots and pans for your new apartment when you can have great skin? And I even have Oprah standing by my decision.

bag du jour

so i've been searching around for a while now looking for a new handbag to invest in (while my friends have mutual funds and stocks, i like my money "right where i can see it - hanging in my closet"); i've finally settled on the following. although by the time i get around to buying the one i decide on the season will probably be over with already, which is why i have decided to focus on a lot of pre-fall handbags. Vogue did a really big piece this month on the importance of resort and pre-fall collections, and i very much agree that those two fashion seasons are the most worthwhile in terms of longevity and getting more bang for your buck, since the pieces tend to carry from one season to the next.I like this YSL Uptown because it is smaller than the gigantic YSL Muse bags that all those olsen wannabes are toting around town. its a simple clean shape which would make it more useable, especially for the hefty $1895 its going for retail. the color is very versatile for my wardrobe, and since i've never been a fan of having basics, the color would go really well with all the other colorful shoes and bracelets i own.

I covet this Lanvin, COVET. Lanvin is always so classic and chic, Alber Elbaz and the creative team always opt for wearable as opposed to ultra trendy. It's so buttery soft and i have yet to find a designer who does a bag with a chain that is so specific to its own label, without reminding everyone of yet another Chanel handel rip-off. I. Covet. This. Bag. Plus, it's on sale at Barney's right now:)

I wouldn't be too upset over this Lanvin either, and its even "cheaper" than the first one. I love how buttery soft both of them look, but still in keeping with a structured frame.

And then there is the Marc Jacobs Stam bag. I've always loved this bag when i see it editorially, but im always so iffy about the quilted leather because it is so easy to knock off. Since this bag came out about five seasons ago, i have seen it everywhere from urban outfitters to chinatown knockoffs, so i never got it. This style is the newest one though, and the difference is that the quilt is larger which i personally think is better than a smaller quilt, which makes it look cheaper. I am digging the crinkly leather effect, much more polished than the regular matte leather. The old SS'06 and F/W'06 Stams were too dull for my taste, and some of the colors reminded me of old silly putty. this one is much more brilliant.

I know that this doesnt qualify as a bag, its very small and not everyday - but i am so obsessed with small bags. it is probably why i am having such a hard time finding a large everyday tote, i keep getting sidetracked with all the cute little ones. i can totally see myself wearing this with a cute flowery dress, or with jeans and a t-shirt. and at $416 (i know i know) its kindof a steal. kindof.

what do you think?

yum

just an early morning pick me up. I guess the brad pitt that we saw in "babel" was, in fact, aged...thank god.