All This & Heaven, Too

Song of the day, no wait, song of the week. Great song by Florence and the Machines. Perfect NYC walking music (where the background music kind of gives more life to daily things that you see as you look around on your walk, and actually makes those things charming.)

I hope you enjoy this as much as I am. Literally listening nonstop. 

New Lengths

I just read this article from The Man Repeller and was very excited/comforted to read someone else's view point on short hair/needing a new hairstyle. I recently chopped my locks as well (although I had someone else do it) but there is something very invigorating about not feeling like you have to a) stay with the same look you've always had or b) stay with a look that your culture tends to deem the most attractive.

I know long hair is beautiful, and I've always enjoyed having long blonde hair, but I have to say I find my new shortened hair drying time and my cute little nub of a ponytail exciting, and have yet to get bored of these 2 things. I basically just like the fact that I thought I might want a change, and I went for it. That in itself is satisfying, regardless of the outcome. And hey, it's only hair.

Here are some really great short hair styles that I brought in for my hairdresser to replicate, and although he must have been looking the other way while I held these pics up (he missed the key important part of the outside layer being longest, DUH!!), I am going to bring these pics in again to a new person to try and achieve this awesome tossled, piecey kind of bobby look. Do you like it?

Love this, but am smart enough to realize we have different face shapes and this wouldn't look the same on me!

Beautiful, but different hair texture from mine.

A good haircut can change styles! 

Julianne Hough - this is my fave. Love the long layers. I actually think she looks prettier this way.

Solid Gold

A quick post on beauty stuff (good stuff, that is) since it's still really cold here.. flurried this morning.. and I am all for any quick fixes/ways to spice up your look in the Winter time. Generally I think of the most effective Winter fixes are as follows:

a) Whiter teeth - to match the snow (clean snow)
b) Darker Skin - to contrast the snow
c) Lighter - or darker hair, just nothing medium and mousy - who wants to blend in even more when we are alread all wearing black puffy jackets?
d) Hydrated skin - recently bought a plethora of (my first batch of) anti-aging skin care since the cold dirty air here seems to suck the life/youth out of your skin
e) Good lipsticks/glosses that also add a youthful carefree-ness to this overall cold dull season.

Australian Gold Sunless Tanner - buy at Ulta.com

 So my favorite product so far is Australian Gold sunless tanner. For me there is not a shot in hell that I would ever step foot in a tanning bed (although I am bad when I am in the sun, in say, a nice hotel in Florida and want to come back bronzed), so I am always eager to find a product that most effectively replicates that beautiful sun kissed look we get from those cancerous rays. I evaluate sunless tanners based on 3 main categories: 1) color it gets 2) smell 3) how potent the stuff is/how fast it works.

This sunless tanner is the first one I've tried that I actually think smells good! It has a strangely good smell, which is a major plus. Also, it seems to create a nice, less orangy color for me and works quickly. I would definitely recommend this. You can order it online from Ulta for only $7.99. I actually bought 2 in my last order. Check it out, and only share with the people you really like ;)

1/11/13

So it's been a while! A new year, new job, new lots of things have come and gone since I've even written last. Lots of changes, some good, some really good. When one door closes, another 5 open. At least I like to think.

With the new year comes, especially for me, time when I like to revisit what I'm doing, what makes me tick (cliche, i KNOW), but ya know - hobbies that you used to like and maybe some you aren't practicing now. Things that make you happy and you aren't taking the time to enjoy because you are busy day to day. Maybe you're spending your time on someonething unimportant that is preventing you from doing what makes you happiest? This is the year, in my opinion, to focus on what makes you happy. It's my 2013 mantra.

Since this is my first time writing in a while, I'm going to take it easy on myself and ease back into this - kinda like what I've done at the gym this week :) - Below are some beautiful black and white images. Here's a tune to look at them with.

Check out Greg Kadel

For amazing images (these 3 are his)

That you'll just want to just keep looking at.

White Collar

So I did a post on collared shirts the other day, because I love them, but I noticed today that whowhatwear.com is showcasing these collar necklace things, which inspired me to post again.

Obviously, to each his own, but I just don't care for these little add on collars, I think because what I like about collared shirts has to do with the shirt part. I love the button down look, the structured shoulders. The collar is just a portion of it. I'd like to add some other suggestions for collar ideas, which go beyond adding a pointy 2 sided necklace to your sweater. How about just embellishing your existing collar? Asos.com has some cool ways to do this, and you literally can morph your top into a different one! What an efficient accessory it is!

Find these "collar tips" at Asos for only $17.25!

If you want to get a bit more authentic with it, or just casual, find a lariat (I think that's what they are called), ya know, a cowboy's "necklace," and put this around your collar. I admit, these "lariats" are not really that easy to find, which leads me to believe I probably am searching under the wrong term, but anyways, you probably could wrangle up a few on Etsy.com.

5 minutes later: I've come to find that these might be called "bolo ties." Search under this term instead.

More "bolo ties" here

If you aren't ready to dive so far into the wild world of western wear just yet, try a necklace around your collar instead, just to "tie" everything together. haha. It will immediately make your look shirt more polished, and give the westerny/menswear effect. 

Found here. Just focus on the collar.

And last but NOT least, isn't this just a beautify top, below? Love the leather detail. 

This sweater is by VEDA. Find it at Revolve Clothing.

Fall Needs

A few other things came to mind as I have begun creating my fall shopping list - I think it's the high 70's/low 50s sunny weather here in Manhattan that has got me going :) Here are the items I want/need/might order today, if all goes as planned:

Ash Motorcycle Boot

1. ) Literally I can't explain my need for these Ash Motorcycle Boots. I'm ordering today. Hopefully they are comfortable enough to walk 1.82 miles in (home --> work). Find them here with the black studs - rather than the silver ones. Oh, I cannot wait to put these on!!!

Also really like these Sam Edelman "Aster" flats. The texture is a little exotic and they are a good  alternative to the typical flats. Also hope they somehow come with gelly/airy/spring bottoms, but I doubt it...

More to come, from my Fall List. If you are working on yours, check out Piperlime - I really didn't know much about the site (Except that it's part of Gap), but I like that they have a "Girl on a Budget" section with some good picks from their celebrity editors like Olivia Polermo and Rachel Zoe. Rachel Zoe also has an Editor's Pick tab that I think is the BEST. Perfect solid, timeless pieces with cool textures and structured cuts. Things you can wear for a while, and always look put together. Like this bag must add to listttt :)

The "Werdie" Bag by Marc Jacobs. How cute is that name? Find it here.

Also, if you are a new shopper, be sure to sign up with your email to receive a 15% off everything! Extra deals are always nice.

Lean Back

In perusing potential leather jackets for the Fall, and also checking out some other blogs, I came across this great image, below. The post happened to be full of different colored leathers, but even better are the awesome photos. Enjoy!

Find it, and MORE, here.

After checking out the season's styles, I realize I am still more tempted by the traditional jackets - either motorcycle or  shawl collar. Love this one (below) by Burberry - but wish the sleeves were a bit longer. Why are they all around 24-25"?!!

Find this at Neiman Marcus

And this one I LOVE - especially the fit - and you can tell how supple (don't love that word) the leather is just from the photo. Think I will probably go with this style.

Find it here 

And if you too are in the market for a new leather jacket, check out Revolve Clothing  - they have a really good selection right now.

Another cool image from Purse 'n Boots Blog