The Perfect Mani/Pedi

I've been wanting it for over a month now, my mom picked it up for me over last weekend, I searched, and searched, and now I have. I'm trying it out tonight for the first time, if you don't own it you need to buy it. Black Shatter aka Crackle by OPI!! It's only the most amazing nail polish ever! What a perfect way to flaunt those nails and toes for summer! You will most def catch some looks. I'm painting my nails in between writing this post, and it is so amusing, I can't stop staring at my nails as the chemical reaction of the shatter takes place. If you aren't familiar with this product, all you have to do is:

1. Paint on a coat of regular nail polish, color of your choice, I'm doing pink voltage by China Glaze
    (p.s. I don't recommend this brand, it comes in cool colors but chips easily, not worth the money)
2. Wait for it to completely dry
3. Apply a layer of the crackle. Note: Applying a thin vs thick layer gives it a different effect. The
    thinner the layer, the more cracks there will be.
4. Optional, but I would suggest it - A coat of clear nail polish to give your nails some shine. The crackle
    has a matte finish to it.

And Voila! Fun & Sexy nails!

Rumor has it Crackle comes in more than just Black now!! So go out there and search for the fun!
I found mine at Ulta $8.50. Don't even try Sephora, they don't carry it, at least not for now.

Since I'm on a role with this fashionable nails post, I've gotta tell you about my friend Danielle's nails! She comes to work today with leopard print nails!! soo sassy, It looks like she painted them, but they are given the leopard print by a thin film strip placed over the nail, and then filing off the excess. I will follow up with you to let you know how well it stays on. I believe the package says it should last 6-10 days.

Also in a variety of of other patterns - I like Girl Flower and Wild Child.

(Pics of our nails to come)

Spring, Summer, & Snow? At least there's Flowers and Bows :)

I first want to say Hi blog, oh how I've neglected you so. I have some legit excuses though. I work full time, I've been fighting off constant illnesses; first the stomach flu, then the regular flu, a cold, and now a sinus infection as a result of the cold! I blame work. Everyone comes in sick and they cough on me!! Gross, ugh, and then I catch their bug. I swear some people are out to get me, and make me feel miserable. I try my best to stay healthy by eating right, working out, and taking my vitamins, but I guess this girl has got a weak immune system because hey, lets face it, I'm sick all the time, for real, my friends can vouch for me. But I'm just sick of being sick. There must be some solution to prevent these illnesses. Any ideas anyone? Can you say more vitamins?


I've also been a busy traveler in my spare time (and luckily not sick during my travels). Three weeks ago I went out to Colordo to visit my boyfriend Josh. He lives near Steamboat Springs, and wow that area is gorgeous! Everytime I visit I don't want to leave, and not only because he is there, well mainly, but really, I could definitely see that place as home. One week after Colorado I went out to Chicago to visit my friend Kriti. She recently got her first job out there (Kriti I'm still so proud of you!) so her and a few of our friends had a girls weekend! And it just happened to be the St. Patty's day celebration weekend while we were there so we saw the green river, packed bars, and crazy drunks getting into fights. I couldn't ask for a better time.


Okay, enough of my ranting and raving, lets get down to business, and what this blog is really supposed to be about. Fashion!


So all of you Michiganders out there, did you hear its Spring? Well I didn't because it's 30 degrees and snowing.  Everyone here is sick of it, but you know what? When it does get warm we are all going to be so appreciative! And getting us all even more excited for spring?!! All the new clothes and shoes! I've been seeing and buying all too much. My closet is packed to the gills and screaming at me "Out with the old and in with the NEW!" I want to share two trends I've found out in the market in hopes that you may adopt some of these to your Spring 11 wardrobes too.


Bow's- They have been a love of mine for many years, and I'm ecstatic that they are all over this summer's shoes. From flats to heels and everywhere in between. All from Nordstrom.

Floral Prints- Always loved them, never could get enough. So happy they are back for another season and in even greater force! Feminine, Flirty, and Full of Summer Warmth!

Next 4 Items- All Forever 21!

This skirt is on sale for $7.90!! eeekk

Floral Wedge- Steve Madden

Floral Capri- Anthropologie. I own these pants and I adore them!! And right now they are on sale for just $20 at Anthropologie online (org. $148)! 

Contrasting Floral Short- Anthropologie- I just may need to buy these.

Vintage Floral Print Dress- Forever 21

We Love MK & A

The other night my friend Amanda and I spent hours checking out pictures of Mary-kate and Ashley online!  We have always been obsessed with their style, and scoping out pictures of them in magazines, online, in books, and on TV has become a regular past time of ours. We have been in love with these girls all our lives. Being late 80's babies, we grew up with them. I remember growing up and playing the twin game. One of us would play Mary-Kate and the other Ashley, and our topics always centered around fashion (and boys of course!)

These girls are our true inspiration when it comes to fashion. There are no two celebrities I would ever rather turn to.  Their originality captivates me. They can pull anything off and make it look fabulous. I am sure you will hear more on them in posts to come. These girls are quite literally a major part of why I chose to pursue fashion as a career! I love these two and if I could be best friends with them I would. 

Amanda and I are particularly into their boho vibe. We love how they layer and piece things together. We love their every day casual style while walking the streets. The look when a paparazzi catches them off guard. These three pictures were some of our favs we found the other night. And next time we hangout we are going to try to recreate the headband Ashley is wearing in the pic on the left! I'll post pictures of them if they turn out well :)

Black Swan

I recently saw Black Swan and I honestly didn't know if I really cared for it. It was interesting and all but would it ever be a movie I would want to see again? The days following I couldn't stop thinking about this movie, the more and more I thought about it the more I began to like it. This psychological thriller kept me thinking about perfection and hard work, and the lengths one will go to achieve what it is they want most in life. How our perfection can many times be a hindrance and yet so helpful at the same time. Life & death was another topic I thought hard on after seeing this movie. What kind of meaning does our life hold? What do I want most and will I achieve it? What sacrifices will I make? So much to think about...


Aside from this deep thought, I was really inspired by the costuming in this movie.  From this inspiration I took it upon myself to pull together a small inspiration board (pictured below) as a rememberance piece of the remarkable styling in the movie. Something I can look at to be inspired by when I need it most :) The way Natalie Portman was styled fit seamlessly with her role. Her outfits portrayed clean cut lines and simple pieces, yet showed a vast amount of interest due to the layering and draping of the clothing. Pastel pinks and light grays captured the ballerina-esk style that needed to be achieved, yet the soft colors didn't take away from the darkness of the film.  

Sparkle, Dazzle, & Shine. It's a New Year!

Shine like the New Years Ball itself. And you don't have to be in New York City to bring your top notch style to the party. My top two party outfit choices for this New Year? 

Silence and Lords of Leaping Dress for $99 at UrbanOutfitters.com. One of Urbans 12 days of Dresses, you are sure to leap your way right into your man's arms (or any mans arms for that matter!) when the clock strikes 12.

Silence and Lords of Leaping Dress $99 at UrbanOutfitters.com

And my second choice? Rendez-Vous by Paul & Joe Sister Lurex Bow Back Tunic for $68. I must tell you that this Tunic looks way better in person than in this picture. It's a cotton, acrylic, polyester, and Lurex (metallic yarn) blend, which makes it stretchy and comfortable for a no fuss night out.

Rendez-Vous by Paul & Joe Sister Lurex Bow Back Tunic for $68 at UrbanOutfitters.com

What/Who is Paul and Joe Sister? Named after her two sons, Paul and Joe, Sophie Albou designed a menswear collection called Paul & Joe in 1995. She then continued on, designing a women's collection of which she named Paul & Joe Sister. The collection is said to be the younger sibling to the Paul & Joe brand. Embodying a bit of whimsy, her collections are playful yet fashion forward, worthy of a gold star in my book. Here are some pieces from Paul & Joe Sister:

Paul & Joe Sister lookbook from NYLON

All I Want for Christmas...

With Christmas a mere 3 days away I thought I would start with a post about my top two wishlist picks. I asked for these gifts not only because they are cute and I am totally in LOVE, but because they give back. My picks for this Christmas? A pair of Toms shoes and a Humanity for all wrap bracelet. By purchasing these products you are not only getting something incredibly fun and fashionable but you are giving a little back to those in need.


Toms shoes, ever growing in popularity for quite sometime now, has established their One for One Movement in which they give a new pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair that you purchase. I asked for Toms Silver Glitters. Although a casual shoe, the Silver Sparkle can dress an outfit up.  $54 at toms.com

Humanity for All gives 25% of your purchase to non-profit organizations, and the bracelets are actually leather! (wow) and are decked out with studs, chains, gemstones and positive, inspirational sayings. The Humanity Happy Days Chain Wrap Bracelet is a sure accessory to brighten your day.  $36 at buckle.com