SkinnyGirl Makeup? Really?

I was tromping through Walmart the other day to pick up some dog food when I came across a display for Bethenny Frankel's Skinnygirl line.  It wasn't the cosmo or margarita mixers we've all heard about it, it was a display for makeup.  While I'm trying to wrap my head around why the Skinnygirl brand needs to add cosmetics and skincare (it's a drink brand for heaven's sake), who would actually want to buy this?  Might someone actually suppose that wearing Skinnygirl foundation may lead to being a skinny girl? 

Anywho, the SkinnyGirl line is being produced by a manufacturer called Lotta Luv, Inc.  The same purveyors who bring you other goods such as these:

That's right, the same people who make the Dr. Pepper flavored lip balm is also producing the SkinnyGirl line.  While they do make other products, I'm not sure how you get from Hannah Montana bubble bath to a skincare line aimed at adult women.  Going on what I know about the company's bonafides, I can't say I'm going to try this line. 

However, I could be wrong.  It may be a decent line, but I'm not expecting any major miracles or sales.

The SkinnyGirl cosmetics and skincare line can be found at finer Walmarts everywhere.  Products range from lip gloss to foundation, and facial masks to skin creams.  Everything is $20 and under. 

Hide The Credit Cards: Chanel's Spring Makeup Debut

I love makeup.  If you were to add up the total cost of my makeup collection, I could go to Paris for a week.  It's borderline insanity how much cosmetics I own.  It's actually getting disappointing going into Sephora and realizing that you already own most of the store.  MAC, I challenge you to show me something that I don't have already. 

I really haven't been paying too much attention to new makeup collections lately because I keep seeing colors I already own.  However, for some reason this week I opened an email from Chanel announcing their new spring lineup.  My jaw dropped and my credit card shrieked.  May I introduce Chanel's Harmonie de Printemps (Spring Harmony for the non-French speakers)?



It's soft, lovely, and just drop dead beautiful.  Since I'm a huge polish lover, my eyes were instantly drawn to the soft orange on her fingertips, which is named June.  My heart stopped beating, and you can bet my first stop this weekend in Easton will be to the Nordie's Chanel counter.  Here's the pieces from the collection that I will probably end up buying:

Out of the polishes, I will definitely be buying June and probably May.  May is a vivid pink and reminds of the cherry blossoms in Washington D.C., which is one of my favorite things ever.  There is a limited edition eyeshadow that is roughly the exact same shade of the June polish called Tigerlily, and I originally thought it was included in the quad eyeshadow palette.  It's actually not though, and I have similar shades already.  The blush has all of my favorite shades blended into one handy compact. 

Pantone has called orange the color of 2012, and this simply wonderful collection is a great way to get introduced to the fun of one of my all-time favorite colors.

Here are some swatches I've pulled from some of my fellow beauty bloggers who already have the collection:

June polish, source, The Polish Police

May polish, source, The Polish Police

Tigerlily shadow, source, The Best in Beauty

Tigerlily swatch, source, The Best in Beauty

 

 

 

 

 

Prada's New Scent Pretty Enough To Eat

I decided to take a look at Nordstorm's website tonight since I'm heading up to Easton Town Center this weekend.  I'm thinking I may have made a mistake, since it's the last weekend before Christmas, but oh well, I'll still have fun.  While looking at some clothes for my mom, I ran across this:



I had to show it as large as I could.  I've never seen a perfume bottle this pretty, and it's in my signature shades of pink and orange?  Yes, please.  I don't even care how good it smells, I just have to have this bottle.  Actually, though, it sounds like something I'd like.  According to the Nordstrom website:
            Top: regressive notes of joyful carefreeness, explosion of caramel.
            Mid: powdery notes of sophistication, cocktail of musks.
            Base: vanilla notes of sensuality, benzoin overdose.

I have no idea what regressive notes of carefreeness smells like, and I'm somewhat wary of smelling like any sort of overdose.  But the bottle....so...pretty....must....have....pretty.....

I'll smell it this weekend, and maybe might snag a sample if I'm lucky.  I'll bring you a full report probably Sunday.

How To Schlump Correctly

I always consider the Thanksgiving-Christmas season the busiest of the year.  There's just so much going go, what with the shopping for food and presents, millions parties to attend, church events, and dragging your sick rear to the doctor.  During the holiday season--and any season, really--there are going to be times when you're going to schlump.  I'm not sure of the origin of the word "schlump" but my mom has always used it to describe being in public and not having taken the time to properly dress yourself.  To me, schlumping is when I have to run out to the grocery store for a few quick things or am visiting the doctor and don't feel like putting on my face at the time. 

I now present to proper way to schlump:



This outfit probably looks very familiar to you, as it's the basic weekend uniform for many women.  I know I'm in a very small minority of fashion blog who says this is acceptable but I like to be realistic about what you actually wear in real life.  I know very few if any people in West Virginia who spend their weekends gallivanting around in couture Dior.  The key to  looking good while schlumping is making sure that the clothes are clean and in good condition. I started with a base of basic black yoga pants and a simple t-shirt.  I added a fitted sweatshirt to keep bulk down and tossed in a Vera Bradley wristlet so you don't have to tote your handbag around.  This wristlet has room for cash, cards, a pen, gloss, and a cell phone.  The only thing that doesn't fit is my checkbook, but I don't carry mine too much. 

The most awesome gold shoes are the Nike Air Rifts.  I own these shoes, and they're showstoppers.  They're a hybrid of running shoes and barefoot running shoes (the funky shoes that show off all your toes).  There's a space for your big toe, and all the others go in a separate compartment.  Nike does sell special socks to wear with the Rifts, but I just use my regular socks, it's similar to wearing flip-flops in a shoe form.  To tie the outfit together I chose a simple gold pendant and some ponytail holders with little gold charms. 

The black bottle is one of the most important items in this set: Tresseme's dry shampoo.  Dry shampoo is great for those days when you wake up late or you just don't like the way your hair looks.  Dry shampoo is pretty simple to use, just spray a little bit on your roots and brush it through your hair.  If you want to look a little bit better, spray your roots and the sides of your hair and blow it out with a round brush for about 30 seconds and toss up in a ponytail.  A lot of people will try to get by with a baseball cap, but that just screams "I'm too lazy to do my hair." 

Some more pointers:
-Absolutely NO printed PJ pants.  One of the biggest fashion travesties I see on a daily basis are women who will do their hair and spackle an inch of makeup on their face but are wearing ridiculous PJ pants.  I mean, really?  This problem can be corrected 100% of time by just putting on a pair of jeans.  If you're able to take the time to make sure you're using five shades of eyeshadow, why can't you take 15 seconds to put on a pair of pants?
-You don't have to match.  You don't have to run out and buy a matching Adidas sweatsuit, again it's just a simple matter of the clothes being clean and in good shape.
-Pay attention to fit and avoid anything too baggy. 
-Go easy on the Vicky Secret's PINK sweats.  If you're over 30 it's time to limit yourself to one Pink piece at a time.  You look like you're trying too hard if you're wearing head-to-toe Pink.
-You don't have to wear makeup while schlumping.  Actually, I think it takes away from the look if you have a full face of makeup on.  My next thought is if you have enough time to do foundation and eyeshadow blending, just go ahead and put some jeans on.

Even when done correctly, schlumping should be kept to a minimum.  By my standards, if you have enough time to put on the above outfit, you also have enough time to put on jeans and a sweater.  However, there are times when comfort is key, and an outfit similar to this will help you look and feel good.

L'Oreal's Color of Hope Polish Review and Swatches

I know it seems like one of the last places to buy cosmetics, but don't knock Kroger's, especially the one up on Route 60  by Barboursville.  They have a makeup selection that rivals Walmart's, and the prices are pretty good as well.  This particular Kroger's is my-go to place to find some of the limited edition collections that CVS or Walgreen's may not carry (and again, they're usually cheaper).  The other day, while picking up some groceries, I ran across L'Oreal's Color of Hope collection and got suckered in by the polishes:

Every purchase gives $1 to Ovarian Cancer research. 

This light pink foil is originally what caught my eye.  Called Whimsicle, I couldn't take my eyes off the bottle.  While it looks great in the bottle, I'm not entirely excited about how it looks on my nails.  It's just okay, but I do see myself wearing it.  One of my biggest peeves about this polish is that it's a mess to work with with.  I tried to clean up my manicure before I took photos but all I managed to do was spread sparkles around my cuticles.  When I went to take it off, I had sparkles up and down my fingers. 



The next polish that caught my eye was the smoky black Mystery:


It's hard to tell from this picture, but this isn't the regular inky black that you usually find on the store shelf.  This has a more sophisticated, sexy, tone to it.  I'd call it a soot or a smokey black.  If you like black polish and want something more grown up than the usual, buy this.  You won't regret it.





This silver foil is Valiant.  I still needed a silver polish, so I ended up taking this one home as well.  I really like this polish.  It's the perfect silver.  It's a foil like the pink polish above, but it has a muted, matte finish to it. It gives a bit a distressed finish which I love. 



Since I had already decided to take three of four polishes home, I thought it would be fair to take the last one, a beige creme called Devotion, home as well:



I almost didn't pick this one up because I felt I had many similar colors to it, thanks to the big greige trend last year.  However, I really don't have anything quite this dark without straying into the all-out brown category.  This is a great shade for fall.



Overall, this collection is pretty solid.  I'm still not 100% crazy about the pink, but I'll probably forget how messy it is until I go to wear it next Spring.  This is a limited edition collection, so if you like one of the polishes here, go out and try to find them now as they won't be replenished after the month is over.  Like I mentioned earlier, I found mine at Kroger's, but I also found them at Rite Aid.

Update on Forever 21 Possibly Coming to Charleston...

One of my most popular posts is on the possibility of Forever 21 coming to the Charleston Town Center.  I haven't been able to get there recently until the past weekend.  Some time ago, I had sent an email to someone in the PR office for the Town Center asking for a confirmation of the rumor but no one ever got back to me. 

I managed to get to the Town Center Sunday with a friend of mine.  I asked a few salespeople in different stores if they knew for sure if Forever 21 was really coming and while they had heard the rumor, nobody know for sure.

Of course, as soon as I hear something I'll let you all know.  In the meantime, you can get your Forever 21 fix at the Morgantown Mall or Easton Town Center in Columbus.

BGP: Make Up For Ever's HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Not only have I been on the search for a shampoo, I've been on the hunt for a foundation.  A longtime MAC user, I started to hate the gray-ish tinge it gave my skin.  I've been through Cover Girl's NatureLuxe and Tarte's Amazonian Clay foundations but still wasn't fully satisfied. 

But just like I fell in love with Sally Hershberger's shampoo for thick hair, I have finally a foundation I adore.  Enter Make Up For Ever's HD Invisible Cover Foundation.

On a trip to Sephora about two months ago, I ended up shelling out $40 on a whim on this HD foundation.  If you've read any sort of women's magazine for the past six months, then you've noticed ads claiming that the model's makeup wasn't retouched or Photoshopped.  This is that foundation.  I'll admit the ads are a bit gimmicky, but they worked as I made the purchase.  Make Up For Ever (also known as MUFE in cosmetic circles) is known as a pretty solid brand, so I wasn't too concerned about the quality of the makeup. 

I've been using the big, fluffy brush I got with the Tarte 8th Wonder of the World set earlier this year to apply the foundation.  I'm incredibly impressed with this foundation.  It's not quite full coverage, but more so than the Tarte.  It also doesn't give my face that gray-ish tint that MAC was bad about.  It covers my acne scars beautifully, as well as evening out my skintone.  It also lasts all day.  When I test "does it last all day?" this means the product is still on my face after I've worked outside for eight hours.  This MUFE foundation didn't budge a bit. 

As I mentioned earlier, I'm using a big, fluffy foundation brush to get great results.  I've also used my Beauty Blender sponge, and a regular wedge sponge, and got similar results.  I know a lot of people are moving to flat foundation brushes, but I've tried to use those with a variety of foundations and was never impressed with the coverage.  My skin felt gross and the makeup felt caked on.  I don't even think I own a regular foundation brush anymore so I can't tell you how well it might apply. 

If you're like me and have a box full of foundations that didn't live up to your expectations, splurge and get this foundation.  If you're worried about money, Sephora will be more than happy to supply you with samples to help you make your mind up.

Could Fashion's Night Out Work in WV?

Last night in New York City and many other cities in the world, people celebrated Fashion's Night Out, which is described as a celebration of fashion, but is more of an attempt to "make shopping fun again" and encourage consumer spending.  Designers make exclusive merchandise just for this one night, and the items are usually well-sought after.  Stores will have DJs or live bands, all sorts of free food--no pop and chips here, these things are catered by some of the best local resturants--some will even sponsored free manicures or hair styling. 

What you might notice is the lack of sales during FNO.  The organizers of the event (Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York) encourage retailers to sell all items for tonight at full price, again with the "encouraging of consumer confidence." 

I love the idea of doing a Fashion's Night Out in West Virginia...however it'd have to be a West Virginia version.  First and foremost, the name "Fashion's Night Out" is trademarked, so we'd either have to pony up up $250 per store/brand, or come up with a new name.  I'll call it West Virginia Fashion Friday. 



Why, yes, I did study graphic design in college.  A few measly years ago I could have done something much more...stylish, but at the moment I lack access to Adobe products.  Anyways...

We can do the same things that FNO wants to accomplish, but on our terms.  We can enjoy a fashionable night of fun, learn what wares our local stores carry, and help our local economy.  But would it mirror a similar event as FNO?  I'm going to say no.  Here's why:

1. There would need to be some sales.  I think there might be some trouble trying to attract people to such an event to pay full price.  If there's other stuff going on, such as live music, free facials or something, I don't think the sales will need to be very steep. 
2. Location, location, location.  I have Charleston in mind for pulling off something like this (I have ArtWalk on the brain).  Do we hold this up on Bridge Street, or downtown?  There's more space for displays and parking downtown, but most of the boutiques are up on Bridge St., and would have to labor to bring stuff downtown.  Driving between the two locations would be annoying. 
3. This needs to be an all-inclusive event.  That means all price points, letting the men show off their fashion as well, plus sizes, etc.  Fashion and style are not limited to certain members of society.
4. Manpower is a major concern.  This isn't your sister's Mary Kay house party; if you're going to offer quickie makeovers, you need to have some professionals.  This could include salon professionals, cosmetic counter workers, beauty school students, etc. If you're going to have 10 people doing manicures at your location, at least 6 of them need to have working experience.  Friends can fill in voids, but they need to be trained at least a month before the event starts. 
5. How to pay for all of this.  Would the professionals doing makeup be paid, or would they get free advertising in exchange?  If they're going to do fashion shows somewhere, how would the venue get paid?  I'm wary of having the shops/brands participating to have to pay to be involved, except maybe for a small nominal fee.  Sponsors would be needed and since this isn't exactly a charity event, I don't know how excited they might be to get behind this.
6. I think independent vendors should be allowed.  Rent out a store front, call it the Quarrier Baazar (or some other fancy name), and charge people for a booth.  You can have Thirty One consultants or folks who moonlight making jewelry.  This would allow us to bring in many of the wonderful artisans in our state and help make the event truely ours.  My fears, though: 15 Avon consultants, people who peddle cheap goods from China they order out of a wholesale catalog, fake purses (include a clause in the contract that they can't sell anything bearing the name of a company or designer that isn't authentic or could be confused as such), and people trying to sell stuff that isn't fashion-related.  Services could be allowed, such as people doing massages or pedicures.
7. It's be great if cities and towns all over the state could get involved on the same day. 

I have lots more ideas for such an event, but I've lost my train of thought and it's dangerously close to bedtime.  Do you think West Virginia can pull of such an event?  Feel free to add your ideas as well!

Hello, Fall!

It's Labor Day, and for the fashion world, the official beginning to fall styles and colors.  Despite what the weather may say, most see this as the time to start putting away the flip flops and bringing out the boots.  Yes, it may seem strange to tuck away one's sandals when it's still 80+ degrees outside, but from all the forecasts I've seen, it's going to be in the 70s for the remainder of the week.  Maybe that's whay I've been itching to go get my sweaters out of storage all day.

Before you rush our to your nearest mall--or the "mall" on your laptop--shop your closet first.  Don't forget to clean it out while you're in there.  Most of the fashion rules that were poular in our youth, such as not wearing white after Labor Day, are no longer in place.  Here's some tips to keep in mind as your start to stare your wardrobe down:

Keep: Your whites.  White jeans, white dresses, and white shirts can all still be worn.  Just be careful to make sure the outfit isn't totally white or too summery.  For example, mix a gauzy white dress with a pair of boots or colored flats, and add a cardigan.  Don't wear that same dress with a pair of rubber flip flops.  Keep anything white to one item in your outfit is a good general rule to go by.
Store: White shoes.  You can get away with just about anything else white but white shoes don't mix well with fall leaves, or snow.

Keep: Nice flip flops.  And by nice, I mean Eliza J. flip flops, Rainbows, critter sandals from J. Crew, etc.  Basically any sandal that isn't rubber or feature a summer motif on them. 
Store: Nicer sandals, or those with seasonal motifs. 
Trash: Any rubber flip flops (such as those from Old Navy) that are dirty or show imprints from where your feet were in them. 

Keep: Tropical, jeweltone, and pastel tanks, tees, and camis.  The colors for fall are brighter than usual, but still subdued.  If you have to ask if a shirt is too bright, then it is. 
Store: Neon colors.  If you were told you'd be directing traffic and needed to wear a bright shirt, the one you'd decide upon needs to be packed up.

Keep: Flare and bootcut jeans. Flares are all over the runways for fall, and are a welcome relief from skinny jeans. 
Store (trash, actually): Anything distressed.  Jeans with major rips, holes, or overly distressed have gone the way of Ed Hardy. 

Keep: Seasonless motifs or critter items.  This would include your favorite skirt with the pink elephants embroidered on it, or the Bermuda Bag purse cover with turtles. 
Store: Anything seasonal.  Seahorses, starfish, sunglasses, etc., should all be packed up.  If you don't boat, anything nautical should go as well. Note: a small logo, such as Vineyard Vine's whale or Lilly Pulitzer's palm tree, don't count as a motif.

Use with care: Straw purses.  A nice straw purse can work well with a fall outfit, but it must be an actual fall outfit.  Don't use a straw purse if you're wearing that gauzy white dress I mentioned above.  If you're wearing brown cords, a forest green sweater and some suede boots and are heading to the pumpkin patch, a straw purse can make a great addition.  Be sure to pack it away once it starts to freeze, though. 

Use with care: Maxi dresses.  Add a cardigan and a belt to bring it into fall.  If your dress is a tropical floral print, it needs to hibernate until next year. 

Trash on sight: Anything that came from Deb's, Forever 21, Wet Seal, Charlotte Russe, etc., that was purchased more than a month ago.  The quality on these items is already poor, and will be out of style by next season. 

Give Away: Anything that you can't fit into right now.  Anything that you haven't worn this year.  Anything that you can't remember last wearing. 

Once you've gotten through this list, you should be all set to hit the shopping destination of your choice and start stocking up on sweaters because it slightly looks like we might get a fall!

 

The MFer, Now Appearing on WVLiving.com!

Recently, I was contacted by the fine folks over at WV Living to contribute to their blog, WV Living in Style.  I was lucky enough to be one of their first contributors.  So please feel free to head over there to check out my post on county fair style, even though it's rather late in the season.  Trust me, the yellow Kate Spade bag I featured in one of the Polyvore sets is well worth the look.

Granted I've been guilty complaining that there's nothing to do in our humble state, but WV Living has really gone out to prove me and all the other complainers wrong. There's everything from garden showcases in Clarksburg, to information on the state's wineries (yummy!).  They also publish WV Weddings, which they describe as the "Bible" for wedding in West Virginia, and as someone who has helped coordinate and plan three weddings in WV in the past two years, is incredibly true.  And if you're looking for a great place for an outdoor wedding in Charleston: Ruffner Memorial Park.  It's on Kanawha Boulevard about three blocks down from the Capital.  My sorority sister (and best friend!) just got married there a few weeks ago and it couldn't have been more perfect. 

Anyways, like I said, I'll be posting exclusive content over there every so often, so be sure to check it out!

Back to School: Old Navy

And finally, Back to School Week 2011 comes to a close.  I apologize it took longer than a week, but between some Wordpress problems that were the result of my own stupidity and working two jobs, nothing seemed to get done.  But that's life.  Now on to some clothes!

I took this set in a different way than most of my other sets after one of my clients told me a story of when her daughter started college.  Her daughter was a business major, and shortly before the start of the school year, she received a letter in the mail informing her that all business majors were required to dress professionally for all their business classes.  When I was an education the first semester of my freshman year, I was required to dress professionally for my job shadowing.  If you're in a similar position of needing something professional, or just like to dress up, this set is for you.

Polyvore set here. 

 I started off with a pair of herringbone pants.  Herringbone isn't a print, it's actually a pattern made due to the weaving of the fabric.  Don't worry, herringbone is very business appropriate and is common, not to mention great for fall and winter because it's a heavier fabric.  I then added a fantastic ruffled tank to add some femininity, and then threw on a military-inspired black cardigan.  You can use a black blazer if you desire.  A basic black bag and shoes finish the outfit.  I'm not crazy about either, but they're what Old Navy had to offer.  I'd add the black Simply Vera heels from the Kohl's Study Date set, and the Longchamp bag from earlier in the week. 

Some tips on professional wear:
-Don't buy 100% polyester pants.  This means avoiding the "dress" pants at Charlotte Russe/Wet Seal/Deb/etc.  They haven't changed since I was a teenager: a wide leg with huge cuffs and usually a crease down the leg.  Buy instead from Old Navy, Macy's, Talbot's, etc.  Yes, they'll cost more, but the clothes will be of better quality, and therefore you will look better.  
-When you pants, look to see if there is a crease on the legs.  As much as you may hate ironing, if there's a crease, they're going to need to retain the crease.  This goes back to the designing on the pants, they're designed and cut to hang with the crease in them.  Ironing the crease out will make them fit funny.
-Skirts shouldn't be more than 4 inches above your knee, and I know some will say that's too short.  Real life is not Ally McBeal. 
-You can't always throw a cardigan over a dress and call it a day.  If it's a dress you would wear out to a club or out with the girls, it's not work appropriate. 

Since you put some work into looking professional earlier in the day, I made the Study Date simple:

Polyvore set here. 

A simple yet stylish dress, with some simple flats and sparkly earrings.  A quick, slightly messy updo and a swipe of gloss is all you need, and you're good to go. 

I'd like to thank you for sticking around for what actually turned out to be Back to School Week and a Half!  As always, if you have any questions, need a clarification, etc, don't hesitate to email me at wvfashionologist [at] gmail.com.

Back to School: Kohl's

Since Kohl's is a department store and carries more than one brand, I thought I would have almost unlimited selection to choose from.   However, after a trip to my local Kohl's and pursuing the Kohl's website, I found the selection...depressing.  There wasn't much at all I liked.  While Kohl's isn't my favorite place to shop, I have found really nice stuff there, and I know many of my friends and coworkers love to shop there. 

Anywho, while my local store doesn't carry much of the LC by Lauren Conrad line, the website does.  I was somewhat surprised by how nice it looks.  Is it original? No, but again, it looks nice.  So in keeping with my sister's plea for more casual, I pulled together this outfit:

Polyvore set here.

Here I paired a basic pair of navy striped shorts with a great ruffled cranberry shirt.  Again, I went for items that would mix and match with items you already have in your wardrobe.  Instead of going for flats or sandals, I chose this pair of  oxfords to add interest.  I've been seeing lots of oxfords in stores right now so you may want to look into picking up a pair.  You can wear oxfords much like you would flats, just make sure to keep the soles flat, not like brogues, which look similar but have a heavier sole (think Doc Martins).  I added some bangles with cute bow accents. 

I'm going to be honest: there wasn't a single bag I liked on the Kohl's website.  While I like the style of this bag, when I looked at it in store, the materials make it look cheap.  However, I thought it gave the outfit a hint of Katherine Hepburn (my namesake!) between the purse and the oxfords.

I fared much better when choosing a study date outfit:

Polyvore set here.

While I did the back to class set with the LC by Lauren Conrad line, I decided to go more sophisticated and use Simply Vera by Vera Wang for the study date outfit.  While my overall opinion of this line is one of disappointment--this line had so much potential but ended up being some badly cut polyester blouses--there occasionally is a knock-out piece, like this skirt.  This skirt has jaw-dropping drama that I haven't seen in an outfit at this low of a price.  Since there is so much detail in the skirt, I chose a shirt with matching details on the sleeves.  Tuck the shirt in so you can show off the detail on the skirt.  For an outfit like this, go with simple hair, makeup, and accessories.  Were this just a plain gray skirt and black shirt I'd add some colored shoes or bag, but again, that would distract from the beautiful architecture. 

Back To School: American Eagle Outfitters

When I was in high school up through my junior year of college, American Eagle was my store.  I was a major AE brand whore, a godly amount of my clothes were from there, the whole nine yards.  And then, I got tired of it.  Maybe it was just my style was changing.  I do remember about that time the clothing seemed to change somehow.  Like it didn't have the character, style, and originality that it used to.  I used to get the cutest graphic tees there, and then all of a sudden the only graphic shirts offered only had some for of "AE" "AEO" "American Eagle" etc printed on it.  I'm not a big fan of wearing logos on my shirts, as I've mentioned before.  So it's been quite a while since I've really looked at American Eagle.  Recently, I sat down and browsed the website, and I'm impressed.  It's like the original old stuff I loved so much are coming back, and that makes me excited.

Polyvore set here.

I had my little sister look over all the sets I've done here for back to school week, and while she really liked them, she said that she wanted something much more casual.  As she puts it, 12 years of Catholic school forced her to wear skirts almost every day, so now that she's in college it's jeans time.  In this set, I paired a basic pair of flare jeans (huge this fall), and a great tank.  To really turn this outfit from "ok but bland" to "that's great" I added a red infinity scarf and some adorable sandals.  Seriously, aren't those sandals wonderful?  If you don't want a scarf, go for a chunky or a long necklace and add some bangle brackets. 

Polyvore set here.

I kept the tone casual again for the study date outfit.  Yes, you can wear white after Labor Day, just be sure to not make the outfit too summery.  The wedge sandals can be worn into fall as well, the textures on them are very Earthy, and can remind a lot of people of the textures found outside in autumn.  I added the peacock feather necklace as a way to add some pops of color.  And now for the 10th time this week: tights and flat boots for colder weather. 

Back to School: Target

When I first went off to college so many years ago (okay 2003, and it does seem that long ago), just about everything I bought to head off came from Target.  The Target had just opened up on Rt. 60 in Barboursville, so  I was rather excited about it.  Most of my clothes, all of dorm stuff (which I actually still have...), all came from the giant red bull's eye in the sky. 

I'm still a fan of Target, and I feel it's one of the places where you can get the most bang for your buck.  They usually have a designer collaboration going on, such as this summer's Calypso St. Barth which I was in love with, and Missioni coming up here in September.  Trust me, there will be more on that later. 

But before I get even further off track, here are the sets for Target:

Polyvore set here.

When I first saw this skirt, all I could think of was how perfect it would be for fall.  I added cute red flats (which would go great with the J. Crew shirt from yesterday), a simple brown bag, and a red scarf.  Even though the scarf, shoes, and skirt aren't all the same shade of red, they're in the same family, which will allow you to get away with wearing them all together.  I added a simple teal tee to keep everything too matchy-matchy.  It's a bit unexpected, and teal is hot for this fall.  Had I paired this skirt with a neutral shirt, I probably would have taken away the scarf as it would have been too much red.  But adding this shirt in a complementary color, you can go further with accessories.  A purple shirt would also work, as would yellow or a bright colbalt blue.

Polyvore set here.

Also hot this fall? Colorblocking.  I chose this great colorblocked dress as it's not only on trend, but is also a basic classic dress.  I love the pink and dark green for the fall.  A simple woven wedge and tortishell jewelry just make this so simple and wearable for a lot of people.  Like the skirt from yesterday, this will also be great with tights and a flat boot. 

The Perfect School Bag

Longchamp Le Pliage, $125-145, depending on size

I had one of these bags (until my puppy chewed it up), and I carried it everywhere.  Depending on the size, you can fit several textbooks in one of the larger sizes.  They come in all colors of the rainbow, and even some limited edition prints.  If you're thinking the price is a bit high for what is a basic bag, let me assure you you're getting your money's worth.  A Longchamp bag will last you a lifetime, no matter how badly you abuse it.  They're easy to take care of (a soapy cloth will get them clean), and it will go with all but the most formal of wear. I carried my Le Pliage (RIP) and messenger bag all throughout college, and still use the messenger bag often.  The messenger bag isn't as big as the Le Pliage, but is still quite sizeable.  I can carry several Tom Clancy paperback novels (don't ask) in the messenger.

A Longchamp bag also makes a good baby bag for those who don't want something that looks too much like a baby bag.  I had a friend who purchased a Le Pliage in red (same bag I had), because, as she puts it, "it didn't insult her intelligence."  She spent months looking for something that wasn't a large black box, a cutesy duck print, or a pink and green paisley explosion.  A Longchamp fit her bill perfectly. 

There are a fair number of Longchamp knockoffs being sold, especially online.  They're nowhere as near prevalent as Coach knockoffs, but they're there.  A Longchamp bag is made in France, never in China.  If you're looking at buying one from Ebay, don't buy any that come from China or Hong Kong, as they're not authentic.  Also make sure that the Ebay listing clearly states them to be "authentic." 

Guess who is a big fan of Longchamp bags?  One of my new style icons, Kate Middleton:

<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-477" title=" on June 30, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada." src="http://wvfashion.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/larger_km_longchamp1.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="186" />

This picture is from Kate and William's recent July trip to Canada/United States.  I had the same bag Kate does in this picture, except mine had long handles. 

She also carried one to her college graduation. 

As the Duchess of Cambridge has proven, how many other purses out there that you will not only buy different colors of, but will use for several years to come?

Longchamp can be bought locally at Yarid's, which has several stores throughout West Virginia including in Charleston and Lewisberg.  Visit their website for more store information.  I bought mine through Nordstrom's and the online store Magnum's, which has excellent customer service. 

 

Back to School: J. Crew

For J. Crew's back to school look, I went with a preppy theme (and no, J. Crew isn't a preppy brand no matter what people tell you).  While J. Crew is the most expensive of all my sets this week, I've seen very similar items in many a store, so don't fret. 

Polyvore set here.

 I paired a classic plaid button down with a military green button down skirt (very '80s).  I swear the skirt isn't as bright as in real life, I looked at it about two weeks ago at the J. Crew in Easton Town Center.  Tuck the shirt into the skirt, because leaving it untucked will pull attention away from the cute details on the skirt.  A classic canvas bag and adorable loafer heels complete the outfit. All of these pieces will also mix easily with others.  Subtract the skirts, add a classic pair of corduroys.  Take away the plaid shirt and add a sweater.  The possibilities are endless, which will be thankful for those mornings when you've partied a bit too much the night before.

Polyvore set here.

I chose a simple yet pretty dress for a study date.  I'm probably going to buy these glitter sandals next paycheck as I love them that much.  They're simple, and yet they add the perfect dash of glitz to any outfit.  The necklace is simple and understated.  I also may buy this dress.  I chose this dress for the sole reason that you can wear it year round.  Now, you can wear it with sandals, and when it gets colder, pair it with some flat boots and tights. 

Tomorrow's Back to School Brand: Target

Welcome to Back to School Week!

 

This week I will be displaying fashions for back to school.  Each daily post will feature an outfit suitable for the first day of class and a study date (or party).  I'm aiming the Polyvore sets at college students, so high schoolers may want to double check their school's dress code policy before making purchases.  Even for those of us out of college, use the sets to get some ideas on how to transition into fall fashion.

I'll also be doing a post on how to liven up a school uniform, in request to a question that was emailed to me last week.  Having spent 12 years in Catholic school, I understand that a lot of people want something a little more stylish for school than plaid skirts.  Depending on your school's uniform policy, it can actually be pretty easy to dress up a uniform. 

First up this week: J. Crew.

Fall Fashion When We Don't Have a Fall

I'm trying to stick to my rule of not discussing fall fashion until it's actually, like, fall.  And by fall, I mean leaves turning pretty colors and I can wear pretty sweaters without jackets.  However, at least here in southern WV, there hasn't been an honest-to-goodness fall.  I mean, there's like two weeks of pretty weather around the middle of October (and in time for Bridge Day at the New River Gorge!), but last year I swear it was in the 80s through November.  When I would go shopping, there are all these beautiful sweaters and corduroy pants, and it's just too hot to wear them. 

It's really confusing, and I'm not sure how to discuss fall fashion if it's going to be 90 degrees.  Or like this past spring, where it rained for over two months without letup. 

Here's what I'm thinking:

-What pieces to keep out when packing up your summer wardrobe
-What pieces to pick up that won't be too hot, yet will keep you warm (yes, this sounds weird, but in my head it makes sense)
-Accessories are key
-Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

I am planning to do a back to school week next week.  I'll be covering back to school outfits from a variety of stores such as J. Crew, Target, Old Navy, and Kohl's.  I'm also going to include an outfit for a study date or a party, because you can't wear jeans all the time.

I'll figure something out.  Meanwhile, if you have any questions about late summer/fall clothing/accessories/style/etc., ask me in the comments or email me at wvfashionologist [at] gmail.com.

I FINALLY found a shampoo!

As I've previously mentioned, I have been looking for a shampoo that doesn't leave my hair a stringy mess.  While I liked Bumble and bumble's Creme de Coco, I can't justify paying $20 for shampoo.  I've tried some others since my last blog with little to no success:

-Target's Up and Up brand, the volumizing edition.  It gave volume, cleaned my hair, but left it super dry.

-V05 something or other.  Didn't do a thing.

-Head and Shoulders. Actually cleans well without the drying, but doesn't quite leave my hair as manageable as I'd like.

While at Big Lots one day, I came across a shampoo that was advertised for normal to thick hair.  As I have super thick hair, I decided to give it a go.  And I'm glad I did:

Sally Hershberger Shampoo for Normal to Thick Hair, $9.50

This shampoo cleaned, moisturized without weighing my hair down, makes it super soft, and managable.  It's also not heavily perfumed like the Charles Worthington Dream Hair, which I'd use all the time if it wasn't for the scent.  The Sally Hershberger has a nice clean scent that sort of smells a bit of a cross between Smarties candies and a hint of a floral.  I also don't need a lot of shampoo, which hopefully means I won't go through bottles too often. 

I only paid $2 for my bottle at Big Lots, but I have found lots of three or more going on Ebay for around $20, which makes the price a lot easier to swallow.  I'm that happy with this stuff. 

 

Brand to Know: Madewell

Madewell is an up-and-coming brand that is starting to make a splash in the fashion world. The clothes already have that perfect worn-in look to them, that many a store and brand has attempted (I'm not going to mention names but cough-Abercrombie-cough) but has never really achieved.   Madewell started out in 1937 as a workwear company but folded in 1989.  Somewhere in the 1990s J. Crew bought the brand, and transformed it into an all-American women's wear store.  But don't let all the Americana fool you, most of the products are made in China and elsewhere.  However, Madewell is unique in the fact that it does offer items made by local artisans/crafters/etc. 

I made up two outfits, one for a trip to the Capitol Market (best farmer's market in the state), and one that's perfect for the first day back on campus:

 

Polyvore set here.

Madewell calls this dress color Cherry, but I'd call it Plum.  The color isn't dark enough to be only a fall/winter color, and would pair well with summer color staples of orange or turquoise.  It's made out of jersey, light for summer, and easily paired with a cardigan come October.  The heels can be worn throughout fall as well.  The necklace adds a bit of shine.  I love this messenger bag.  Like seriosuly, I'm highly considering getting it.   I've been on the lookout out for a good messenger for over a year, and I'm thinking this might fit the bill.

For those about to start back to school:

Polyvore set here.

I have friends who start classes as soon as the second week of August, so I made a first day outfit that will not only keep you cool on the long trek across campus, but to keep you warm the moment you step into class.  I have no idea why, but every college feels the need to keep the classrooms a frigid 62 degrees, hence the cardigan.  I love the bright navy contrasting with the coral.  The sandals are more interesting that a basic pair of leather flip flops.  This bag isn't big enough to be a bookbag, but it will hold your wallet, planner, and all sorts of other nessecities. 

Pricewise, Madewell isn't horrible.  I'd put it on par with Macy's or White House|Black Market.  Their sales are pretty good, so check those out.  The nearest locations are in Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio, and Georgetown, Washington D.C.

Click here for the Madewell website.

Holy Kow, the Kardashians are Getting Their Own Polish Kolors!

The Kardashian sisters have teamed up with OPI's down market brand Nicole to come up with a line of nail polishes, a la the Justin Bieber collection.  Khloe revealed the existence of the line and one of the colors last night via Twitter:





Other than the fact I'm mildly horrified by the shape of her nails, this navy blue creme doesn't look too bad.  Am I expecting to be impressed by this collection?  Not one bit, but mostly due to the brand, not the ladies endorsing the colors.  Nicole by OPI is one of the worst brands of polish I have ever used.  It's streaky and no matter how much of a creme the polish is, the color looks uneven on my nails.  Nicole is maybe fifty cents cheaper than regular OPI, so I would skip the Nicole and find a similar color.  OPI does make a similar color, called Russian Navy.

Charleston Native and Actress Kristen Ruhlin Dresses to Impress

Charleston isn't home to just actress Jennifer Garner, it's also the hometown to up and coming actress Kristen Ruhlin.  She got her start in the local group The Kanawha Players, where her mother managed productions.  She's a fellow Catholic school grad, and is the cutest thing ever.  She graduated with a degree in fashion design from Ohio State, and uses that knowledge to avoid the fashion disasters that most young actresses commit before they can afford stylists.  There's not a lot of pictures of her (yet!), but I'm very impressed with her fashion choices:

So classic.  So cute. 

She looks fantastic in red!

Itching to steal  her style?  Here are some ideas to get you started:

Polyvore Set Found Here

Kristen's newest movie, She Wants Me, is due out later this year.