#beyourbestself
Funky, glam, retro, luxe…Faster, Faster Disco
Click To Shop:
Blouse: Equipment Slim Signature Blouse in Black Star Print
Jeans: Frame Denim ‘Le High Flare’
Jacket: Givenchy Cropped Fur Jacket
Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner Gothic ‘Love’ Gold Necklace
Bag: Gucci Leather Disco Bag
Shoes: Platform Sandals By Malene Birger
It’s another new year already! Another new beginning, wishing nothing but hope, good fortune, and prosperity for the new year…and of course a bit of glamour to get us through til next year 😉
It’s no secret that I have a minor obsession with Kate Moss…many women in the fashion industry do, regardless of industry. After her collaboration with TOPSHOP launched earlier this year, Nordstrom caught up with her makeup artist, Charlotte Tilbury, and posted a how-to on their Beauty Blog. Follow along below after watching the posted how-to video to see how you can achieve Kate the Great’s iconic look for tonight’s festivities:
1. Prep. Get your skin ready with a cream. Apply foundation and conceal targeted areas, including under-eye circles, blemishes or red spots. Utilize finishing powder down the T-zone to cover any pores.
2. Feline Eye. Use an eyelash curler (your secret weapon) to curl your lashes. Next, with your finger, pull the outer corner of your eye out slightly into a point to create the feline shape. Look straight ahead into a mirror and, using a black liquid eyeliner pen, draw a line until you get 3/4 of the way across your upper lash line. Mark a point on the outer corner of the eye where you want to end your line. Continue along the lash line and angle up to the outer point you marked to create a V shape along the eye. Repeat on the other eye—being sure to make another mark that’s even with the first eye. After your feline flick is complete, line your waterline with a black pencil. For a more dramatic look, add more of the black liner over the liquid liner.
3. Blend. Take a neutral grey and blend this color across the entire lid. Use a blending brush to add a darker shade of grey into the crease in a windshield wiper motion across the full eye socket. A darker shade of grey will create a smoky look under the eyelash line and along the feline flick lash line. Of course, apply mascara. Layer on more mascara for a more dramatic look.
4. Bronze. Use a powder brush and a swirling motion to apply bronzer to the temples, the forehead and the cheeks. Use the same shade in order to sculpt and carve out the cheeks by applying it right below the cheekbones.
5. Lips to Finish. Always start the lips with a neutral lip liner. If you are not sure where to put your lip liner, smile and then apply to your lip line. Add a nude lipstick on top. If you want a more matte look, add some powder over the lips.
Photo via
Yves Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane Small Sac du Jour, $2,750, originally from F/W 2014 collection
Saving up for this bad boy has forced me to modify how I shop. Putting away the same portion of my paycheck week after week makes the final purchase a treat that I know I’m expecting — a planned-for surprise, if you will. Watching that monetary amount grow and grow demonstrates my perseverance to myself, showing my inner shopaholic that if you hold out for something that’s timeless and you covet so dearly, the trendy pieces that catch your eye for a minute or two become less and less appealing as you start to notice your triggers. Mine are plaid, exceptional fabrics, interesting silhouettes, and uniqueness…but the deal breaker? Knowing that other people will have it. I crave pieces with a rebel-rock aesthetic, but classic enough to outlast a one-season wear.
While in LA earlier this month, my coworker and I popped into the Chanel store on Rodeo Drive to satisfy our eyecandy temptations. I’ve been in love with the Chanel Boy Bag since it came out in their F/W 2013 collection, but seeing it on nearly 8 out of every 10 women in LA was an extreme turnoff (aside from the $4,000+ price tag). Sure, I saw my YSL on a few shoulders, but a minuscule number by comparison. Same goes for most other designer pieces I crave — uniquely classic designs that a few people have, but not so blown up as a fad would merit.
This will be my first luxury designer bag I pay full ticket for out of my own pocket — others have been gifts from friends in the industry (Burberry Crush from last Christmas) or just amazing steals at discount stores (hello, Furla croc tote a la Nordstrom Rack in 2013). The hefty price tag has forced me to rethink how i shop so i could actually put aside a consistent amount to grow a “Shopping Fund,” if you will. Instead of blowing $50 on rather disposable pieces from H&M or Urban Outfitters, I’ve been keeping my spending to an absolute minimum — no new clothing purchases since AUGUST. That may be normal for many of you, but it took a LOT of self control and spending restraint to get me this far in the “fund”. I had made a few “key-pieces” purchases in August to refresh my Fall wardrobe, but I’ve been a good girl ever since 0:)
What about you ladies? Has there been a designer piece that you’ve wanted so badly you changed your shopping/spending habits to make it a reality purchase?
I’d love to hear about it in the comments section!
If you’ve been following me for the past few years, you’ve noticed that I get super excited for everything Fall: sights, sounds, flavors, fashion, EVERYTHING. It’s my favorite season of the year, and that’s putting it lightly.
Since my *Fall Fever* is hitting me a bit early this year, I thought I’d ease you into the spirit with a deliciously healthy and light recipe for Wheatberry Waldorf Salad. I originally found this bad boy on the Whole Foods Recipe App when I was in college, and with my own little tweaks I’ve been making it seasonally ever since! Yes, it’s that good. *NOTE* plan to make this recipe for the next day – requires overnight soaking.
Ingredients
• 2 cups uncooked wheat berries
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 medium apples, cored and chopped — Use a crunchy, firm, sweet-tart apple (like Granny Smith or Gala)
• 1 cup seedless raisins
• 1 cup finely chopped parsley (optional)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup spiced apple cider
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
Method
1. Put wheat berries into a large bowl, cover with at least 2 inches of water and set aside to let soak overnight. Drain well.
2. Put 7 cups water into a medium pot and bring to a boil. Add wheat berries, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 50 minutes, or until cooked through. (Wheat berries retain a firm, chewy texture when cooked.) Drain and set aside to let cool.
3. Transfer wheat berries to a large bowl. Add walnuts, apples, raisins, parsley, vinegar, apple cider, salt, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, olive oil and lemon juice and mix everything together thoroughly. Voila! Enjoy as-is, or refrigerate for a cold salad.
Photo via my Instagram account