Favorite Things

{DSW booties, Old Navy flats, Urban Outfitters macaron box, Batiste dry shampoo,

City Color Be Matte blush (via Ipsy), Rifle Paper Co. notebooks, Arajera earrings, 

Kix'ies polka dot thigh highs, Lypsyl lip balm & Love is in the Air mug (from my mom)}

I have to start off by saying that I can't believe I never tried Batiste dry shampoo before! I've heard rave reviews countless times and yet I never got my hands on it because I've tried other dry shampoos and they always failed me. But this is seriously the holy grail of dry shampoos. I picked up the travel size, but once I'm finished I'm picking up a bigger size. 

I have yet to use the Rifle Paper Co. mini notebooks because I don't want to "ruin" them by writing in them, but I've been wanting these pretties for a while. When I was in Chelsea Market with Alex, Melissa and Julissa after the Kix'ies presentation, I saw them and wouldn't let go. 

This isn't sponsored at all, I just really love this product: the Kix'ies! I'm so glad I was introduced to Kix'ies because they really are a genius product. I wore them all day long last Saturday and they didn't budge. Plus they come in fun patterns!

A few fun links:

♥ Chelsea of Chels & The City made some great points about dressing modestly as a Christian, feminist, and plus-size woman!

♥ When is it okay to call yourself a writer?

♥ How to cope with stress.

♥ These illustrated temporary tattoos are beautiful!

♥ 21 beauty tips every woman should know.

♥ These GIFs through the lens of a pair of glasses are oddly mesmerizing.

♥ 10 ways to support an author!

♥ These Japanese travel tips for visiting America were interesting to read as an American.

♥ What does happiness mean to you? (Spunkyrella's happy week posts are great!)

♥ Sponsors:

• Becoming Fabulous posted how to make no-mess glitter jars and a delicious red velvet cake. 
• Buttons and Birdcages wrote about heartbreak and refashioned an 80's dress into a super cute dress.
• All of Omoroka's jewelry is so dainty and lovely, but I'm especially liking this rose gold heart necklace. 
• Bookworms in Dresses shared her experience (and amazing pictures) from this year's anime convention, Katsucon, as well as re-branded her blog. 

♥ Swap friends: Chase All Your Dreams, Book, Beauty & Bars, Cats, Lifestyle & Interiors, Chin Up Buttercup, Life of a Sports Wife, Ruffled Paper, My Life as a Teacup & Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups.

♥ Fashion loves: a pretty lace dress, red peplum top, comfy pajamas, day dreamer cuff, black scalloped hem dress, scalloped ballet flats, floral maxi dress, and fit and flare dress.

What's one thing you loved this month? 

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Inspired By: Penelope

Penelope is a movie that came out in 2006, but it's just so whimsical and fun that when it popped up on my Netflix suggestions I had to re-watch it. I love so many things about this movie (the fairy tale-like story, the romance, the actors in it), but I also love how saturated with color it is -- the costumes and sets are so bright and cheerful. 

Penelope is about a young woman named Penelope, who, because of a family curse, is born with a pig nose. Her wealthy, blue-blood parents fake their infant daughter's death because a reporter named Lemon keeps stalking them. Many years later, Penelope's parents try to introduce her to as many suitors as possible because the curse states that only when "one of her own" loves her will the curse be broken, so they believe that the curse will be broken when she marries someone of noble birth. 

Penelope

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Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci) is a charming and optimistic young woman with a pig nose, who spends her life stuck in her home because her parents are afraid of what people will think. She grows up learning about horticulture, literature, and music. She's met countless suitors who all go running once they see her nose, but has a connection with one young man, who she thinks is named Max.

Go for Penelope's well-known look by wearing a purple pea coat, purple scarf, purple dress over a striped tee, green tights, and green Mary Jane heels. Or instead wear a red cardigan over a striped dress, a bunch of brooches, and nude and black heels. 

Max / Johnny

Johnny Martin (James McAvoy) is a musician and a gambler who needs money, so when the reporter Lemon thinks he's a blue blood named Max and offers him money to get a picture of Penelope, Johnny takes the deal. He falls for Penelope because she's sweet and has an innocence about her. 

For a casual look, try wearing a gray blazer, chambray top, jeans, and black booties. Or put on a more put together outfit: a faux-leather sleeve jacket, a burgundy polka dot blouse, black jeans, a black wide brim hat, a LOVE bracelet, and burgundy flats. 

Annie

Annie (Reese Witherspoon) is a messenger who rides a Vespa. After Penelope ventures out into the "real world," they meet a bar and become friends because Annie introduces her to new things. At first, Annie has no clue that Penelope has a pig nose because she constantly wears a scarf.

Get Annie's cool biker chick look by putting on a black leather jacket, black and white top, a beanie, black jeans, and tall boots. Or instead go for a urban chic outfit: an olive field jacket, a striped crop top, a leather-trim skirt, spike earrings, and lace up peep-toe booties. 

Lemon

Lemon (Peter Dinklage) is a tabloid reporter, who more than anything wants to get a picture of Penelope to prove that he and Edward Humphrey Vanderman III (Simon Woods), one of Penelope's suitors, aren't crazy. Years earlier, when Penelope was a baby, he broke into the Wilhern's house and Penelope's mother blinded him in one eye. Despite how much he wants this picture, he's still a good guy.

If you're into more borrowed from the boys looks, wear a brown leather jacket, brown hat, green plaid blouse, green cargo pants, camera ring, and brown buckle boots. Or maybe an OMG necklace, picture print shirt, distressed jeans, watch, and gray sneakers. 

P.S. -- There's a book based on the movie!

Have you seen this movie?

Whose style is similar to yours?

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February Wishlist + Sponsor: Buttons and Birdcages

Is spring here yet? While I love winter, I'm getting sick of the endless snow and cold. After a certain point, I get tired of wearing all these layers and begin to feel constricted. I just want to go outside without having to wear a jacket and scarf and three shirts and two pairs of socks. Is that too much to ask? 

February Wishlist:
♥ Ruche lilac lace dress -- Perfect for spring and wearing to work
♥ Burrowing Home temporary feather tattoos -- Aren't these beautiful?
♥ Bambina colorful leather business card holder -- I want something cute to carry my blog cards in!
♥ Forever 21 map print scarf -- I'm kind of obsessed with map print right now
♥ Old Navy distressed jeans -- The perfect thing for spring
♥ Converse off white sneakers -- I've been wanting a pair of off white ones forever
♥ Old Navy pink tank dress -- Pretty and flirty
♥ LC Lauren Conrad x Kohls -- The girly-girl inside me loves these heels!

What's on your wishlist?

♥ ♥ ♥

Let me introduce you to Miche of Buttons and Birdcages!

Buttons and Birdcages is a vintage inspired personal style blog with a focus on sewing and sustainable fashion.

Miche wears the cutest vintage-meets-modern outfits and is a pro at refashioning thrifted finds! If you're looking for ways to incorporate thrifted clothes into your wardrobe and/or are interested in refashioning clothing but don't know where to start, Miche can certainly help you out with that! Also, at the bottom of all her blog posts is "good news of the day." I learned some amazing new tidbits! 

Blog | Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

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Outfit: Kix'ies Lingerie Fashion Week Presentation

I never thought I would ever be invited to a New York Fashion Week event, but then Alex of Glory Boon and Maile of Kix'ies emailed me about attending a Kix'ies presentation for Lingerie Fashion Week! So exciting! Maile even sent me two pairs of Kix'ies, polka dot ones and pinstripe ones. Thank you, Maile!

Kix'ies are thigh high tights that come in fun patterns that actually stay up. They have three silicone-grip bands at the top that help keep them in place, and they really do stay up. Kix'ies is the brainchild of Samantha DeMartini, who created these thigh highs to be comfortable and make you feel a little sexy. A percentage of each Kix'ie goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of her dad who passed away from Hodgkin s Lymphoma in 1995. 

I don't get many chances to dress up, so I decided to wear a new dress that I bought with my friend Avra, added some sparkle (how cool are these star earrings?!), booties, and of course some polka dot thigh high Kix'ies. I met up with some amazing bloggers: Alex of Glory Boon, Melissa of Simple Stylezz, and Julissa. It was wonderful hanging out with them all day, talking about blogging on the terrace of Canoe Studios and walking around Chelsea Market. 

P.S. -- If you're a blogger, pick which Kix'ie you like, email Maile at maile@kixies.com, and she'll send you a free pair! 

Shop Kix'ies | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Sweater: American Eagle | Dress: Charming Charlie | Necklace: Sammydress

Thigh Highs: ℅ Kix'ies |  Booties: Kohls {similar, similar} | Bag: Target | Earrings: Arajera

Below are some pictures from the Kix'ies Lingerie Fashion Week presentation in Chelsea.

Some of the pictures include women that are not fully dressed. I'm not shy about seeing things like this, but I know some people are, so if you want to see more that's entirely up to you. 

Sponsor Spotlight: Omoroka

Today I want to tell you more about the shop Omoroka!

Omoroka sells handmade jewelry with a simple, elegant style and that's what I like about the shop. I personally love jewelry that's understated because it stands the test of time. There are are silver, gold, and rose gold pieces with leaves, anchors, cats, angels, crosses, hamsas, Swarovski crystals, and more. At Omoroka's shop, you can also get monogramed jewelry. There's something there for everyone!

The people behind Omoroka are a young European couple with a dream of starting a family business. Their main products are handcrafted jewelry for all kinds of occasions: gifts, religious or just everyday wear. 

Get 15% off with code OmorokaOnBlog!

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Ipsy Glam Bag {February 2014} + Mini Giveaway

A post on a Saturday? Well, I wanted to show you guys what I got in my Ipsy Glam Bag this month, but ran out of weekdays. For $10 a month, Ipsy gives you a bag of five deluxe samples. February's theme was the Look of Love, and I received the bag on Valentine's Day, so that was perfect timing. I love the beauty products in this bag, so this month was a winner in my book!

For the month of February, I received:

♥ City Color's Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon (full size $3)

♥ POP Beauty's Plump Pout Mini in Peony Petal (full size $16, sample $8ish)

♥ Zoya's Nail Polish in Odette (full size $9)

♥ PHYTO-C's Velvet Gel (full size $64, sample $16)

♥ J.Cat Beauty's Eyelashes & Eye Glue (full size $4)

This bag was worth $40! 

MINI REVIEWS

City Color's Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon

This is my absolute favorite thing from this month's bag! I love blush, especially matte powder blush, so this is the perfect thing for me. The fresh melon color is gorgeous and looks coral-y in the pan, but is a little more pink on the skin, which is fine with me. This color is going to be great for the spring and summer. It is super pigmented, so a little goes a long way.

POP Beauty's Plump Pout Mini in Peony Petal 

This lip gloss is a beautiful rosy color and is more like a liquid lipstick than a gloss, which I like. It's very pigmented and feels very smooth on the lips. The only downside is that it smells like a mix of vanilla and burnt rubber, but luckily you can't smell it while it's on. Also, the packaging is really cute.

Zoya's Nail Polish in Odette

I'm going to swoon forever over this dusty purple nail polish. It's so pretty and I think it's a nice color for winter and spring. It's a bit sheer, but you can layer it to make it a deeper color.

PHYTO-C's Velvet Gel 

This small bottle utterly confused me when I first got it. I had no idea what it was. On the website it says it's supposed to "give skin a glowing appearance, improves the combination of rebounding cells and collagens, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and nourishes, hydrates, and softens skin." So essentially it's an anti-aging pink gel. I'm not sure if this actually works, but I'll probably dab it under my eyes at night now and then.

J.Cat Beauty's Eyelashes & Eye Glue

This is the only thing that really disappointed me because I never wear fake eyelashes. I would end up fidgeting with them the whole time, so I'm going to give this away to one of you lovely ladies! You also get an extra little present! Enter below. (Residents of U.S. & Canada only.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What did you get in your Ipsy Glam Bag if you get one?
Have you tried any of these products? What did you think?

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Sponsor Spotlight: Tranae of Becoming Fabulous

Today Tranae of Becoming Fabulous is taking over my blog!

Hi! I’m Tranae of Becoming Fabulous, a DIY lifestyle blog. So if I had to pick my favorite thing to work with it would be spray paint. I absolutely love the stuff and it’s ability to take a project for ugly to fab. Don’t believe me… behold this bar cart and figurine as proof. Yes, I just said behold, crafting is that serious. And today we’re making over an ugly jewelry box that is screaming for a coat of spray paint. 

Usually, before and after projects start with the before shot, but where is the fun in that? So here are the after shots.

And now the before picture…

Talk about a drastic change. And the great thing about this project is that it is super easy. All you need is an ugly jewelry box, spray paint, painter’s tape, sandpaper, fabric scraps, and Mod Podge. You will start by giving your box a light sanding and then wipe it clean.  Cover any areas with painter’s tape that need protecting. Next, add a couple coats of spray paint (I used 3 coats). Be sure to let it dry in between coats. And technically you’re done at this point. However, I wanted to glam mines up a little so I add fabric to the side panels of the drawers with Mod Podge. Easy right? 

If you like this project be sure to stop by my blog, Becoming Fabulous, for more projects or just stop by to say Hi. Oh wait, I almost forgot, today I’m giveaway away one of my yarn mandalas. Aside from spray paint, yarn is my second favorite thing. All my mandalas are custom made with the recipient in mind and you get to select the colors. Awesome, right? Be sure to enter and good luck.

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Hop on over and say hello to Tranae!

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Inspired By: The Classics Vol. 5

Yay for more classic literature! I'm sad to say though that of the four below, I've only read one (The Tempest). One day I would like to read Oliver Twist and The Picture of Dorian Gray. I didn't include Wuthering Heights onto that list because I've seen it adapted and I can't stand most of the characters, but I know that it's a well-loved book.

P.S. -- I was featured on Elba's blog Live Colorful about color and branding for bloggers!

Wuthering Heights

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Written by Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights is about love and the destructive effects of jealousy and revenge. The story follows Heathcliff, who was taken in as a boy by Mr. Earnshaw and his young children, Hindley and Catherine. Over time, Heathcliff falls in love with Catherine, but although she loves him knows she cannot marry him. Because of this, Heathcliff becomes vindictive. 

Dress like Catherine by wearing a black peacoat, a purple maxi dress, floral earrings, and short boots. Or wear a Heathcliff-inspired outfit of a navy peacoat, blue button up, wax-coated denim, a broken heart ring, and brown boots. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon (free Kindle edition!)

Oliver Twist

Written by Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist is a young orphan who has a miserable childhood of little food and long hours picking oakum at a workhouse. He then goes to work for an undertaker, but is still mistreated. One day Oliver runs away and meets Jack Dawkins, aka the "Artful Dodger," a pickpocket, and joins the crew, not realizing what he's getting himself into. 

For a put together look, wear a newsboy cap, a beige sweater over a white blazer, green cropped pants, and brown flats. Or for a more casual Victorian-meets-modern outfit, go for a white button up, teal suspenders, spoon ring, wallet (for the ones he steals), distressed jeans, and lace-up boots. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon (free Kindle edition!)

The Tempest

Written by William Shakespeare, this play is about Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, who has been living on an island with his daughter, Miranda, due to the fact that they was stranded there 12 years earlier by his jealous brother, Antonio. Prospero became a great sorcerer and when he discovers that his brother is in a passing ship he creates a tempest to bring them to the island, and from there (as things tend to happen in Shakespeare's stories) all hell breaks loose. 

Dress like the magician Prospero by wearing a colorblocked blazer, metallic top, navy pants, midi rings, and blue strappy heels. Or go for a flirty look (since Miranda falls for Ferdinand, the Prince of Naples) by putting on a purple tank top, navy chiffon maxi skirt, ship necklace, and nude heels. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Written by Oscar Wilde, this 1890 novel is about Dorian Gray, the subject of Basil Hallward's painting. Dorian one day meets Lord Henry Wotton and becomes mesmerized by his outlook on life -- that the only things worth pursuing are beauty and fulfillment of the senses. Dorian wishes that the painting could age instead of he; the wish comes true and Dorian begins living a life of debauchery. The picture ages because of the sins that Dorian commits, not because he isn't aging. 

Inspired by the red curtain covering the gold-framed painting, you could wear a black peplum top, a red pencil skirt, pretty dangly earrings, a gold cuff, and black pumps. Or dress with artistic flair and go for a dark floral blazer, a lace black dress, a cameo bracelet, and black heels. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

Which have you read? 

Do you like Wuthering Heights? 

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