Renaissance Fair

Floral Skirt - Thrifted, Velvet Bustier - MinkPink, Gold Cross and Corno Pendents - Thrifted,
Sandals - DV Dolce Vita, Drawstring Dooney and Bourke Bag - Thrifted

My mom insisted I get this skirt when we went shopping in Portsmouth last month, and now I'm a little obsessed with it. The fabric is this sorta-shiny, almost curtain-like material (and it's fun the swoosh around). Then I found the MinkPink crop top. I'm still trying to master all the different ways I can wear this before summer hits...

To The Bitter End(s)

I’ve been struggling to grow out my hair since a rash decision led to a post-break-up, chin-length-bob back in 2009. Before that scary chop occurred, I had cleave-length strands and loved loved loved ‘em. Who knew it would take so long to get back to where I started?

Then once I had enough length, I started up with the flat-iron waves again and so began the heat torture that has prevented the return of my mermaid hair. After a year of crying to my hair stylist, I’ve finally found a few products that have helped me get back on track in the hair-growing department:

L’Oreal Professionnel Absolut Repair Cleansing Balm

This sulfate-free balm is part cleanser, part conditioner and is super gentle on sensitized hair. The best part is that it temporarily seals the ends of the hair, which help to keep them from breaking off. Since I start to see split ends about two weeks after a haircut (I know, yikes), this keeps my ends looking healthy until the next one.

Kerastase Fibre Architecte Serum

The serum is extremely lightweight and not only protects hair from thermal damage, but again, helps to temporarily seal fired ends. If you use a flat iron on your hair AT ALL, this is a must.

Super Solano Blow Dryer

I finally bought myself a nice dryer as a treat and then realized whoa…this makes a HUGE difference. Drying my hair goes waaaay faster, plus this dryer has three heat settings, zero heat to high heat. I usually blow dry on the lowest setting until my hair is mostly dry, then finish with the medium setting. No way am I ever touching the high setting. My hair’s singed enough, thank you!

Primarily Mondrian

I've always been a Mondrian fan - something about blocking out primary colors really appeals to me.

So when I saw this Cosby-esque sweater while shopping with my mom, we both knew it had to be mine.

Mondrian Sweater - thrifted, Disco Pants - AA, Buckled Boots - Deeny & Ozzy

While I'm usually against the "butt-sweater," who doesn't love loud, lounge-around winter-wear?

Winter Drugstore Finds

In almost all scenarios, you get what you pay for – especially when it comes to the wondrous world of cosmetics. But sometimes a drugstore brand will come out with a product that wows without the hefty price tag. During these chilly (yet still snowless) winter months, there have been a few products that have dug me out of the cold-weather blues:

Psst! Dry Shampoo

This is my favorite cheap-y dry shampoo. Amidst this dry atmosphere, static wreaks havoc on my hair (like, mad scientist-scale havoc). So shampooing every day is sooo not an option. This stuff gets rid of the grease and adds a ton of texture and grit – perfect for chicks who like volume or beachy waves. Just makes sure you REALLY rub it in so you don’t get any tell-tale white spots or the formidable George Washington wig effect…

Con Air Bun Maker

I hate wearing my hair up, but when the weather outside is frightful, it’s often a must. Instead of just throwing my hair in a bun, I like to look like I’ve put at least SOME effort into my updo. Enter the hair donut. Slide your ponytail through, wrap around, pin – and you’ve got yourself a picturesque ballet bun. I also use this little guy as a base to make for more volume on other such updos. It’s the easiest way to get perfect buns (at least of the hair variety).

NYC Lipstain

I’ve found that this cheap-o lipstain lasts longer and looks better than so many other brands. And I’m particularly fond of the color spectrum it comes in. The more opaque ones last a lot longer than the sheerer shades, but all in all I usually only need to reapply once a day (after lunchtime). My favorites are: Endless Spice, ____ Red, and ____ Nude.

Milani Blush in "Luminous"

This Nars Orgasm knock-off is the closest to the real thing I’ve found thus far. It’s pinky-peach color with gold-toned shimmer mixed in gives a nice rosy cheek in lieu of the natural frost-nipped look only achieved by walking around Boston in January. Since the price tag is about ¼ the Nars price, this is one of the only times it’s a good idea to “fake it.”

You Can Check Out Any Time You'd Like...But You Can Never Leave

Okay, so maybe The Eagles aren't a super-cool band to be into, but they were my favorite group around years 11-13 (which was a big step up from my pop-R&B phase of years 9-10...yikes). My Dad and I bonded over the likes of Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, and Don Henley during my formative years, and I've had a special place in my heart for them ever since.

Eagles Tee - Chaser, Faux Leather Shorts  & Snakeskin Boots - H&M,
Eagle Totem Pendant Necklace - Thrifted, Marion Bag - Alexander Wang

But the song "Hotel California" has particular meaning to me due to the fact that it was the first song I heard as a kid where I really listened to the lyrics and followed the storyline in my head. It was a dark night in rural Maine, the power had gone out, and the fam was circled around our (really, really old and tinny) radio as we ate dinner by flashlight. "Hotel California" came on, and my Dad recited the lyrics as the song played in a spooky voice, as if he was telling us a ghost story. It was pretty scary, and I'm pretty sure it gave me nightmares BUT, to this day whenever I hear the song I'm taken back to that night and the visions of a dark desert highway dance through my head.

Plus, come ON - the guitars at the end? Shut up, it's awesome.

Getting Down to Brass Tacks

Last year, I lived in a pair of little black wedge booties from H&M. The poor things have some battle-scars, and since now my shoe collection has quadrupled, they mostly just sit, lonely and ignored, on a shelf in my closet.

Instead of tossing 'em, I decided to turn them into a project and give them a quick polish and 

a new lease on life...on the cheap. 

Inspiration:

Jeffrey Campbell Studded Wedge Boot

By the way, you know you have a shopping addiction when you get as excited in a hardware store as you do in a shoe store. But ANYWAY... after rifling through many bins of tacks, nails, and fasteners, I settled on some brass tacks. Well, 320 of them, to be exact.

And using my trusty kelly clamps, I push-pinned my way to some new studded booties:

I can't say they won't still sit in my closet (after all, they don't meet my now-standard of 3.75" from the ground), but with this little rejuvenation, they stayed out of the trash to once again see the 

light outside my closet.

See...My...Vest!

Whilst visiting my sister in Brooklyn a few weeks ago, we allowed ourselves about a 20 minute thrifting trip (yay forced self-control!) at her favorite nearby secondhand shop. She picked up a couple great pieces...I kept grabbing vests. I love vests. I don't really know why. But obviously because they are somewhat impractical, but always eccentric layering pieces (at least the ones I tend towards).

While standing in line at the register with this green, suede fringe vest in hand, I asked my sister what I was doing and how I got there. But most importantly, on what occasion was I ever going to wear this? She offered, "With some basics! It's too cool not to buy!" She convinced me, and I was so taken with it that I took it home, if only to hang on the back of my closet door to stare at.

Well, it's been a few weeks now, and I've worn this thing no less than 6 times. Always listen to your big sister...especially when vests are concerned.

Also, I sort of always feel like Michelle Tanner when I wear a leather jacket with shades...

You got it, dude.