Friday, December 13, 2013

The Great Equalizer.

A: This photo is my everything.


M: LOOK HOW HAPPY SHE IS. She totally misplaced her cool.

A: She is practically hopping up and down. Like you do when you meet Idris Elba.

M: I know we just used it but I think this is the appropriate place for this again:



A: Oh yeah:


M: WHY IS HE THE BEST.

A: HE REALLY IS JUST THE BEST BEST. AND HE KNOWS IT:



M: 



A: Okay, even Oprah:


A: EVEN OPRAH.

M: She's only human.

A: She's not human, she's Oprah. But his powers are strong.

M: He's the great equalizer.

A: Yes indeed.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Marianne: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Review (and an outfit)

I've been promising a review of this lipstick but I have also been sick for OVER THREE WEEKS and just not in a red lipstick MOOD, you know? Which is a shame, because really dramatic red lipstick has a way of making you look put together and fancy and distracts from your red nose and dark under eye circles. At least that's what I tell myself.


ANYWAY, this lipstick is killer. One TINY swipe lasts all day, the tube will last forever. First of all, you need to apply it very carefully. Wipe the excess off the applicator because a little goes a long way. I touched up just the middle of my bottom lip at about 3 o'clock but I could have gotten away with not touching it. It's slightly drying, but really matte and nice and it doesn't feel bad on the lips. I tried to take a picture midday with my phone to show you but the lighting in my office made me look like Aileen Wuornos. It was...not good.


VERY red lips are such a statement that I tend to wear kind of muted colors, clothing-wise. Today I'm wearing what has quickly become my favorite dress this winter, tights, my beloved Frye Lisa boots (why won't they reissue this style? These are kind of close, but the heel is higher, and a wedge), and a brown wool Cythia Rowley coat with a dramatic collar (kind of similar style here). And look! I even changed my bag for the first time in months! I don't want to wear out my Rocco so I swapped for this muted gold Marc Jacobs Mag Bag (no longer available but he's always good for a nice metallic bag).


I want another of these lipsticks, maybe in a neutral? Bellissima looks promising. I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Gift Guide: For Your Marianne.

So, I am lucky enough to have a Marianne of my very own and of course I want to buy her All The Things.  I wish I could! She's the best and really needs these things badly, right? I think so. Here's what I'd get her if I had all the money in the world:


First! I'd get her a Luxe Faux Fur throw from Restoration Hardware because girrrrrlllllll:


So soft! Also soft are these J.Crew cashmere sweatpants because lord, why wouldn't she want these:


She can feel fancy and wear them with these Zara High Heel Ankle Strap pumps:



Sweatpants and pumps! So fancy! (Okay, no. Don't do that.) You know what is fancy? This beautiful Diptyque candle:


An Urban Decay Shattered Face Case is just the thing for looking awesome on-camera:



And this Vince Rack Stitch Cashmere Sweater is basically the most perfect Marianne sweater ever:



This pretty Taurus Constellation Pendant Necklace would probably work better as a birthday gift, but either way:



Because the bottle itself is a thing of beauty, HERMÈS L'ambre Des Merveilles Eau de Parfum:


I already know Marianne would love this Land of Nod Lamp because she keeps trying to get me to buy it for my apartment:


And finally, I'd buy her this Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Bleecker TV Cabinet because we've both been whining about it for ages and it just has Marianne written all over it:



Ring Rage.

M: $200 seems like a lot of money for something destined to fly off of your finger 346 times a day:


A: "Hey, what's that over...ooops! Sorry sir. Your eye? Yeah, well, it's gold-plated brass."

M: "TAXI! (*ping!*) What's that? Oh, just $200 flung into the sewer."

A: typetypeCLUNKtypetypetypeCLUNKCLUNKmotherf...

M: So chic.

A: You won't even notice you're wearing it after it falls off for the fifteenth time and you chunk it in to the drywall in an impotent rage.

M: Fashion!

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Reader Request: Radiant Orchid Handbags

Pantone announced the Color of the Year for 2014, Radiant Orchid, and it's been a popular topic at my work. My friend Lili found an amazing bag and my friend (and bosslady) Jillian fell hard for it, but at $650 the price hurt. So I thought I'd do a little roundup of my favorite Radiant Orchid bags, all under the $300 mark (except for one).

First up, the bag that started the obsession, Time's Arrow Julian Serpent-Print Duffle:

I love this Gryson Crossbody Bag, great satchel style and on sale for $100.


The color on this Ralph Lauren tote is a bit deeper, if you want to tone it down a bit:


The Steve Madden City Style Satchel is faux leather and under $70. It skews more purple than pink:


Leaning towards bubblegum pink, this Guess Westbrook Satchel looks like it costs more than its $118.


Okay, the Botkier Honore Small Hobo is a bit more of an investment, yes, but it's so fierce.


The radiant orchid colorway of this Fossil Satchel is on sale for $140!


If you're looking for a smaller bag, the Hobo Poppy fits the bill:

I have to say, I wasn't crazy about this color at first, but I would happily carry one of these punchy purple bags. They would be great paired with black and grey this winter in particular. What do you guys think?

Monday, December 9, 2013

Adrien: Leopard is a Neutral.

I have days like everyone where I get dressed in running-late stages and kind of lose the plot when it comes to the outer layers. It's almost like my brain just forgets what I'm already wearing and swears that, "YES. THIS NAVY SKULL PRINT SCARF TOTALLY WORKS. WEAR THAT. YOU'RE LATE. GO."

My brain says that kind of thing a lot. I wasn't even sure when I took these pictures if what I was wearing was cute or tragic but I think...cute? Definitely cute. Mixing patterns makes me nervous but I've always been of the mind that classic leopard print is basically a neutral anyway, right? Right.


The leopard flats are my new Madewell Sidewalk Skimmers and I love them as much as I hoped I would. My jeans are Shockoe Denim and my jacket is the J.Crew Downtown Field Jacket, a staple. My scarf was a gift and I don't remember who makes it (I'm pretending it's McQueen) but this one is a great inexpensive dupe


My bag is vintage LV and was a big, scary, worthwhile purchase a few years ago. Everyone needs a red satchel in their closet! I currently like this one by Fossil. Or, for the super tight budget, this is really cute.


Leopardy goodness! I'm glad I held out for a code and got these Madewell flats. Highly recommend. 


Friday, December 6, 2013

Weekend Window Shopping: Inexpensive Party Dresses.

It's that time of year when you're trying to find a damn cute dress but don't want to spend a ton for something you're not going to wear much. Here are a bunch of options I found that are all under $100:

(please note: the eBates links are my referral link. Go crazy.)


30% Off (plus 5% back with eBates)


50% off with code WINTER (plus 2% back with eBates)


25% off $125 with code GOODCHEER (plus 4% back with eBates)


30% off with code MOREMOREMORE (plus 2.5% back with eBates)

30% off with code MOREMOREMORE (plus 2.5% back with eBates)


25% off with code HOLIDAY (plus 2% back with eBates)




Free shipping with code: FREESHIP


(no discounts, but it's only $53!)

And finally, this is my party dress:


Banana Republic: Embellished Fit-and-Flare Dress
40% off with code BRTWICE for cardholder or for two full-price items (plus 2% back with eBates)

Have a great weekend, all!