Fashion Faux Pas: Full Camo Print Outfits

A while back, I wrote an article about chic camouflage frocks (like a nice mini skirt). While I still do think that a camo print can be hot (my mom has a bitchin' pair of camo ballet flats), there is a time and a place to wear it. And if you're going to wear it, stick with one great piece and leave it at that. There is little worse than camo overload.

There is a guy who comes into my place of employment (suffice it to say I work in a doctor's office. ish). More often than not, this fool of a man waltzes in wearing baggy camo print pants, a matching fitted tank, flat ironed hair (though he did fancy the cornrow look for a while) and, to top it all off, I've been informed that he also wears bright orange glasses.

The most amusing part is that he thinks he looks fabulous. I hate to single this guy out. He is nice, if a little eccentric, and he is flamboyantly gay (which I actually am a fan of). And while, I do admire his gusto, his style simply does not cut it.

I really do pity him and I want to take him under my wing. He has such great potential. Alas, approaching the situation is difficult. So I pass on this information to my readers: with prints like camo, wear only one amazing item. Otherwise, you may just get recruited into the army by accident.

Lesson learned? I hope so.

Ode to the Ballet Flat

Ever since I broke my pinkie toe (ouch!) a few weeks ago, I've only been able to wear flat shoes. My doctor recommended sneakers. No thanks. I'm simply not a sneaker type of gal unless they happen to be encrusted in gems and are fuchsia. Even then, I'd probably only wear them once and then throw them in the back of my closet.

I found my own solution: my coveted black ballet flats from Target ($15!).

I know ballet flats have been in for a while, but I have a feeling that this trend will last for a bit. Ballet flats are chic, comfy, dressy, casual, and all-around gorgeous. I own the ones in the picture and a pair in patent leather. Fine...I've also good them in a bunch of other colors, too.

Every gal should own a pair, in my opinion. To have a classic, chic look, all you need is a pair of ballet flats and some red lipstick. Am I right, ladies?

Bang Cutting Mishap--and the Solution!

As I browsed the pages from my fave glossy mags a few weeks ago, I was amazed by all of the blunt-cut bangs that all the stars are sporting. So, being my crazy self, I grabbed a pair of shears and ran to the bathroom to cut my own.

Mistake? Yes. My hair, of course, is concoction of wavy frizz grossness and cannot handle the aforementioned bangs. I looked like I had a mullet.

After days of wanting to shave my head ala Britney Spears, I found a solution: headbands.

I immediately ran out to CVS and bought three, and stole a few from my mom. Currently, I am wearing one daily until my "bangs" (if you can even call them that) grow out.

Lucky for me, headbands are HUGE right now. I particularly am a fan of the simple thick black satin ones out there. They match everything and can go from day to night with ease. And they look so posh!

The one in the picture is from Delia's and goes for $3.99 (on sale!), but everywhere has got 'em.

Thank you headbands for saving my life and keeping me out of the Mullet Club.

THIS IS BIG: Sharpies as Makeup?

This is BIG. Bigger than big. I have actually found a new way to use Sharpies. I'm not sure if this has been done before, or if I am a genius. I am leaning towards the genius side. Let's get on with it, shall we?

Lately, I've been big into lip stains. They're great because I work all day, or run around doing stuff, and much as I love lip gloss, I hate applying it in public. So, rather than run off to the bathroom every ten minutes to slather some on, I've been going the stain route. I've found some beauties, but I had a brainstorm late night when I saw my pink marker: Why not use a Sharpie?

Sharpies are permanent makers and I remember trying to"tattoo"myself in middle school. Usually the marking would wash off completely in a couple of days, and that was with black, the most potent of the Sharpies.

I have this great fuchsia shade marker that I knew would look simply fab on my lips. So I went to it. I literally drew on my lips. And it looked great. It lasted for the whole night!

Sharpies are totally nontoxic (I checked, I'm not a fool) and I cannot think of any sort of disease that would come from this use.

The best part? Sharpies are super cheap, and there are about five pink shades, a few reds, and even PEACH. The most interesting part is that the marker didn't even dry out my lips (which most stains tend to do for me. Also the color was even a little sheer-ish--not like some sort of full-on fuchsia paint. Simply amazing.

Have I found some sort of new beauty miracle?

Sexy Eyes for the Bedroom...or Anywhere Really...

I have found a new love.

Today I took a trip to CVS to pick up a new mag (don't tell my boyfriend) and I stumbled upon the makeup section. Or maybe I purposefully went there to buy lip gloss (again, don't tell my boyfriend).

While browsing through the store, I saw Revlon's "Bedroom Eyes". Now, I had seen ads for it, and was slightly interested, but I just forgot about it. I decided to give in today because there was only 1 dark blue liner left and lately I've been obsessed with the whole blue smokey eye look.

The shade I got is called "Sultry Sapphire" and I think that describes it pretty well. Unlike many blue liners, this blue is VERY dark--almost black. No neon blue hues here. This liner is actually a powder, so I was worried about coverage. Somehow though, it managed to line my eyes with the precision of a liquid liner, but the blendability (is that a word?) of a powder. It went on really thick, coverage-wise, but blended soooo easily. It is impossible to make a mistake with this stuff.

I can't wait to wear it to work tomorrow! I am already mentally planning out an outfit full of rich blue and black shades...Hmm...

"Bedroom Eyes" comes in oodles of colors (well, about 6 but really, how many more dark shades are there?) and they each cost around $10. Huzzah!

Purse-Friendly Hair Helper

I have the worst hair in the world. It is, what I call, wavy frizz grossness, and I think that is a pretty accurate description.

I usually flat iron my hair, especially if I'm going out on a weekend. But my hair is ridiculous and usually starts frizzing up after about an hour or so depending on the humidity and such. I wish I could just bring a flat iron with me and use it in the bathroom...

OH WAIT, I CAN! Now, Sephora carries a "Professional Cordless Straightener" that is only a little more than 7 inches long! Perfect for throwing in your purse. It costs a steep $225--but it's well worth the price if I can have fun evenings out sans frizz.

Mellow Yellow

Except this yellow isn't really mellow. It's more like awesome.

The thing I love most about Charlotte Russe's fab new yellow polka dot peep toe heels is that they combine two of the seasons biggest trends without seeming trend-whoreish. Bright Caribbean-flavored colors are huge right now, as are retro polka dot prints.

These heels could dress up jeans and a tee, or dress down a LBD (Little Black Dress). They're appropriate for work (because I said so), and yet they're perfect for a Sunday morning stroll through the park.

What could be better really? Oh maybe this-- they go for about $23. So yeah, they pretty much rock.

My Latest Beauty Must Have--Bacitracin!

Hear me out. I know that Bacitracin is supposed to be used for cuts and such. But one glorious day a few months ago, I found its other use.

I have verrry sensitive skin and fairly severe eczema. In the winter, I have to constantly apply what I call "anti-decay lotion" which is a mixture of prescription cream and Curel lotion on my body and face. Without it I look like I have some sort of flesh eating disease.

In the summertime, however, I breakout in zits. My dry skin is less severe, but applying any sort of blemish medication just makes my skin dry everywhere. My solution? Bacitracin.

My mom suggested it tome when I told her my dilemma. I wasn't sure it'd work, because Bacitracin seems almost oily. But I gave it a go one night and found that it really works! It dries up zits, and hydrates my skin at the same time! I think it has something to do with the fact that it basically gets rid of all the bacteria in skin (which is what causes acne). Now I apply it every night unless I am having a horrible eczema flare-up, and I must say that my skin has been particularly flawless.

Drugstore.com has the Rite-aid brand of it for a mere $3. Try it out--you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Long Lucious Lashes

I'm constantly after finding some miracle solution for elongating my stumpy lashes. I've tried all the mascaras, worn fake lashes, and tried ridiculous overnight lash treatments. Some of them work decently, but I've always wondered about getting lash extensions ever since I heard of them a year ago.

The idea seems great. Extensions work for hair, so why not lashes?

I did a little investigating to see how it all works. Apparently, the process is basically like putting on fake lashes, but with a little more bonding. You have to find someone who is certified to do this (and having them done can cost anywhere from$100-$300 or even higher). The end result looks amazing (the picture is a before/after shot of this). They last for a couple months, but you can't rub your eyes or wear waterproof mascara. Regular mascara shouldn't be worn frequently either. I guess with super long lashes, you wouldn't really need mascara anyway.

I'm still not totally sold on the idea. If there was a permanent way to get better eyelashes, I'd be all for it. But judge for yourselves!

Take the Plunge

With one-piece swimsuits becoming so popular lately, I've decided that I need to get myself a one-piece ASAP.

But where to look? When I first began my search, I came upon oodles of speedo graphic print ones, and old-lady dress ones. Neither really hit the target in this case.

Luckily, I stumbled upon this La Blanca suit today and I think I may have found the most flattering swimsuit ever made. The halter style with the plunging neckline is universally flattering. It draws the attention to your chest/neck/shoulders rather than to your hips and waist. The shirring covers up any "pooch" that you may have going on, and it also enhances your waist, making it appear slimmer. Plus it comes in black, which I am a huge fan of.

The swimsuit costs $110, but it will never ever go out of style, so I say it's a go.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNA-ROSE!

My super stylish sister turns 18 today!

Flower Power

Pardon the cheesiness of the title. I cannot express my love of floral motifs in words at the moment.

For some reason, I keep forgetting about the best store in the world, Anthropologie. With their ultra feminine frocks and dainty accessories, springtime always reminds me to at least check out their website, if not hit up the local Boston storefront.

My current fave? These super classy sea blossom earrings.

I always love pieces that can work for day or night and I can definitely see wearing these to my fashion-deprived workplace and out to dinner. Even a trip to the parental unit's home in NH would work with something like this.

Simply divine. At $38, these earrings are a little pricey but they'll stay in style forever and go with everything. Simply delightful.