Outfit Inspiration: Olivia Palermo

Now that The City is started back up, so has my love for all the ladies on that show's style, including Miss. Olivia.  She is so very polished.  I have seen this photo of her tons of places awhile back, but dug it out of my inspiration folder to use for my own styling inspiration:

So I copied:

Outfit Details:

JCrew Cardi

NY&Co Striped Shirt and Necklace

Target Black Skirt

Nine West Black Bow Flats

Shoe of the Day: Yellow Sandals

Perfect for summer!  I could wear these every day!

Also comes in coral.

Only $39 from Delias

Carrie and Big

I am so excited to be reunited with Carrie & Big, Miranda & Steve, Samantha & Smith and Charlotte & Harry, soon...so soon!

{photos from here}

Runway Trend: Abstract Shoulders

Last week I was a guest blogger over at Shop It To Me's Blog.  I wrote about incorporating runway trends into your everyday styles, and one of my favorites is the Abstract Shoulders look.  Whether it's cut out shoulders or unequal straps, or different colors - anything to have a little fun and do something different with your top!

I tried this look out with my already owned duds and layering - take a one shoulder shirt or dress and layer it over another tank or t in a same color or different:

I like the way the ruffle one-shoulder looks layered over another shirt.

I'm having fun with this, and a bit similar to layering a strapless top or dress over another shirt, which I like, too!

Pretty in Pink Bridal Shower

This past weekend, a friend and I hosted a bridal shower for our good friend at my home.  I really put my new yellow rooms to work and tried to transform the space into a pretty in pink girly environment.

I managed to snap a few pics of the Pink goodies...

Amazing Strawberry and Vanilla pink cupcakes made by Erin's Sweets

They were delicious!  Such a hit.

 I used candy for added color/decor and extra sweet treats!

Starburst red packages comes with all the pinks and reds - the best kinds. 

 

The pretty flowers were from Costco - got 24 pink roses and a bundle of pink Carnashions for under $25!

I had 2 more vases of these around the room.

Here is {some} of the spread!

It was a fun evening. :)

Bye-Bye Naked Windows! Part 2

Sorry I kept you waiting on the second part of my dressed up windows.  The living room has felt great since putting up my new light turquoise curtains that I showed you last week.  Now, for my dining room:

Before... Naked Windows

And now?

Ok, so I didn't stray from what I did in the living room.  But did choose a thicker (not black out thick), faux-silk one to dress up the dining room a bit more.  I just love the light turquoise color with the yellow walls.  It really adds a pop to this room!

The panels I chose were from the same brand I got the living room ones from:

Classic Home Faux Silk Window Panels

Now I need to work on getting stuff up on the walls, a center piece for the dining room table, oh and many many other things... :)  But it's coming along!

Favorite Blogger Outfits: Sweet and Edgy

Tara from Little Girl Big Closet turns a sweet girl's tee with pearl embellishment into an edgy overall look with black boyfriend blazer and striped skirt.  The pairings are unexpected, which is why it caught my attention and earned this week's spot for my favorite blogger outfit.

Her outfit details:

Anthropologie Sweet Life Skirt.
J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer.
J.Crew Crewcuts Fleur Pearl Necklace Tee.

Seychelles spectator booties, circa 2007.

Shoe of the Day: Bogo Time!

Not just one shoe of the day, but two since Payless' BOGO promo is going on!  My picks:

Lela Rose for Payless - Neilson Bow Flats in LIME

Stella Gladiator Sandals in Silver

and of course I still love these babies...

Aqua and Pink Outfit

Today I felt beachy in my waterfall aqua blouse - made me think that I really do need a beach vacay!  But anyways, I digress - I paired my beachy blouse with a hot pink cardi and grey skirt.  I think what I was missing was a belt...oops.

Worn with my spanish flats - I have some major blisters on both my heels from a pair of jellys worn this past weekend.  Ug.  Will be finding backless shoes to wear all week.

Outfit details:

Aqua Waterfall blouse - Marshalls - $14!!

Hot pink cardi - J.Crew via Ebay

Skirt - Banana Republic last year on sale

Flats - DSW 5 years ago for my trip to Barcelona

Mascara Deluxe Sampler Review (Part 2, of 10)

Last month I started on my mascara deluxe sampler from Sephora, reviewing each sample one by one!  My first review of Hourglass Superficial Lash wasn't the best...so I forged forward and onto the second sample, 0.09 oz Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara.
.

I used this mascara off and on for about a month, but before I give my option, let's review what Sephora says about this mascara:

Reach new heights with Urban Decay's all new Skyscraper Mascara. This monumental breakthrough will lengthen, strengthen, separate, curl, brighten, and thicken your lashes sans clumping or flaking. 

Now what I thought it did?

PROS: It does lengthen and separates the lashes.  I felt like it fanned them very nice.  There was no flaking or clumping either!  It went on very smoothly.

CONS: It does not thicken. No sireee!  I felt like I had to put on 3 or 4 layers of this mascara to finally be able to see it - the color was light and didn't darken my lashes.  

My option is, if the coloring is so light and there isn't any thickness, how are you going to see the nice length and fanning?  Now for the proof:

Eye to the right is mascara-free (aka non-existent); the eye to the left has Urban Decay applied

 You can really see the length here, however from more than 5 inches away, you loose site of the long, light, and thing lashes...

Eye to the right has just Urban Decay applied; the eye to the left has Urban Decay on first, with my old faithful cheapie mascara, L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen.

I always compare mascara to L'Oreal's Extra Volume Collagen because it's my current favorite!  As you can see it adds the thickness and dark color I so desire!

Both eyes have Urban Decay mascara first and then L'Oreal on top.

Final thoughts on this one...

Still not worth the bucks ($22).  If my $6 mascara is still needed to perk up my lashes, I'm not shelling out 3-4 times more for something less.

On to the next one...

0.13 oz Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing and Strengthening Mascara

Bye-Bye Naked Windows! Part 1

So after last weekends adventure to find window coverings, I found some and not at all what I was planning to find...  Once I got out there, I broadened my horizons and came up with a whole new idea!

My inspiration was actually from my living room book shelf I recently debuted:

How so, you ask?  What was it, you wonder??

This little turquoise ceramic vase (2nd shelf up) from Target.

It looks so nice on my shelf, in my yellow and gray room - it hit me!  Turquoise curtains...

So I tried several kinds of curtains in that color family and even a couple greens to see the difference and options, we settled on a kind that was still airy and let light in, but that had a pretty color, like the vase.

The winner:

Lucky in love with Target....Rocky Road Crushed Taffeta Window Panels

And now IRL:

What do you think?

New York & Co Floral Skirt & Necklace Outfit

A month ago, I looked for a floral skirt that cost less than an Anthro fav.  One of the Dress for Less options included this New York & Co one...

First, I don't just highly recommend this skirt, but the other floral patterned skirt in the same cut (i.e. elastic waist band = super comfy and length-customizable).  I got them both, and love them.

I also got this Teardrop necklace:

My outfit, featuring these two new NY&Co pieces at incredible deals:

Skirt & Necklace: NY&Co

Shirt: J.Crew - I could wear this thing every day.

Shoes - Simply Vera Wang

Favorite Blogger Outfits: Springtime Mix of Colors

I have a heard time not posting everyone of this blogger's oufits - they are fun, unique and creative. This outfit specifically just screams springtime!  I love all the details and fun mix of colors...  Without further ado, last week's favorite blogger outfit is...

Dea Diaries!

I love this yellow patterned skirt with the pop of fucshia pink shirt, and that belt is unexpected, yet perfect.

Outfit details:

ae tank

express cardi

anthropologie mid-century modern skirt

anthropologie belt

anthropologie the-in-crowd necklace

target maribel peep-toe wedge (not shown)

Bare Windows: Need Curtains! Part 2

So while I'm looking for window treatments for the living room per the last post, in which after great feedback, I have a bit more direction: something probably light and white (but too sheer), I'm also looking for window treatments for the dining room. 

Here I'm thinking of something a bit more dramatic because it's pretty simple. Due to lack of open wall space (the walls either have doors or windows), there won't be any art work hung.  Maybe something a bit heavier?  If I'm doing light and white panels in the living room, maybe the heavier grey drapes here?  Thoughts?

Or do I get a pattern - something in a totally different color, and tie in with other accessories throughout the living room?

Too country?

Why is finding curtains so hard?