Essie “Good As Gold” and Elizabeth and James Bird Claw Ring: This color has been my STAPLE nail color for the last few months, I’m obsessed. I love the way it’s really more of a subtle gold and looks great with any other metallics, including this amazing sterling silver claw ring, designed by MK and Ash themselves.
OPI “Plugged-In Plum” and Forever21 Turquoise Cutout Ring: This ring looks pricey, but it’s totally a Forever21 find! I like mixing the turquoise shade witha deep purple, which most people wouldn’t normally think to do, but I adore.
NARS “Dovima” and Forever21 Rhinestone Cheetah Ring: There’s nothing more classic than mixing a leopard print with red, right? It’s pretty much my favorite combo and this ring quenches my thirst for the insanely expensive Cartier version, that I can’t afford. Sigh.
As I get older, it gets harder and harder to deal with everyone else around me getting engaged, married and pregnant. For years, I’ve tried to avoid growing up (hello, Los Angeles) but recently, I’ve realized that I’m eventually going to have to concede and maybe even get engaged, married and have babies myself. Sigh. BUT there are a few things in life that I’ve decided that I will never do and one of them is having to “ask” permission to do something. I’m a free bird! I do what I want! Always have been, always will be…and if I ever had to ASK someone permission to see a MOVIE, I might as well just die right then and there. I don’t mean to judge but I DO mean judge…in fact, I’m pretty sure that I’ve made the same face (and thought the same thing) as Kristen Wiig in the Bridesmaids scene above when friends have said “oh I can’t go cause ____ doesn’t want me to.” REALLY? That’s a sad story. You missed a good ____ cause, whatever it was/I did, I’m sure I had fun!
Anyway, this whole thing got me thinking to all of the fun man-repelling beauty and fashion things that I LOVE, that are known man-repellers. If you’re not familiar with The Man Repeller blog, you should be. Basically it proves that women love fashion trends and think they look hot but men…well, they don’t get it. Countless magazines will tell you exactly what men don’t like but I say, WHO CARES? Again, I do what I want…and here are my favorite man-repelling beauty products:
Crazy eyelashes: Sure, they’re kinda nuts to look at…and maybe they’re more for editorial but hey, I like eyelashes and these are REALLY fun.
Dark and neon nail polish: A few years back when black nail polish was at it’s point of chic-ness, I had a guy I knew actually ask me “what are you, goth now? Why are you wearing black nail polish?” WHY? Clearly you haven’t been reading every magazine and blog in AMERICA because it’s ALL ABOUT Chanel Black Satin, ok?
Sequins(!): I probably don’t even really have to explain this…men HATE sequins; they think sequins makes us look like disco balls. Girls LOVE sequins. That is all.
Bright lipstick: I think all of us have dreamed about looking like our Barbie dolls from back in the day, at one point or another…maybe that’s where this trend comes from (and I still love it).
Bliss 2012 Election body lotions: Let’s first start off with the genius names (‘O’ bama orange and ‘mint’ romney). Regardless of your political affiliation, Bliss will be handing out these lotions at upcoming political conventions and, starting August 27th (yesterday!), the body lotions will also be FREE for Bliss.com shoppers that spend $50 or more. Personally, I’m excited.
Lady Gaga FAME perfume: I love Gaga so, of course, I’m pumped to smell her first fragrance. It’s the first of its kind in fluid technology, exuding a black mist (“like the soul of fame”) once airborne. Black perfume = genius.
NARS Andy Warhol Collection: Ok, so it’s not available until October 1st but you can see the full collection HERE. I can. not. wait.
Ashley Duncan Black & White Heart Bangle: I’m always a fan of the black and white combo. This bangle, currently available for pre-order, is such a cute addition to my jewelry collection.
NARS Thakoon nailpolish in “Amchoor”: Yellow is “so hot right now,” as I’m currently always saying. I’m loving this whole collection, available May 1st.
Cinco de Mayo Pinata Cookies: When I saw these on Pinterest, I nearly fell out of my chair. Read the directions and see if you’re up to the challenge…I’m currently begging my baking-friendly friends to make them for me.
Lee Industries Linen X Bench: I’ve been eyeing this bench for a few weeks and was reminded of it tonight while watching Girls. The hilarious virgin cousin had two white versions lined up as her coffee table. LOVE that idea.
I’ve been pretty much ignoring Fashion’s Night Out this year, just like every year, but when I saw this news, it totally caught my attention. NARS created the limited-edition Silvery Odyssey collection featuring Via Crispi Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner (a fave!) and Space Odyssey Nail Polish. The metallic silvery colors are celebrated in the campaign image, taken from the archives of famed photographer, Guy Bourdin (another fave). Bourdin is one of the most significant fashion photographers of the 20th century and also a personal favorite of Francois Nars himself.
On Thursday, September 8th (Fashion’s Night Out), NARS will post Bourdin’s arresting image on their Facebook wall and encourage fans to “Like” the image and on Twitter, NARS followers can tweet their support using the hash tag #SilverOdyssey.
For all who participate, NARS will make a donation to the New York City AIDS Fund, the official charity of Fashion’s Night Out in New York.
I will never say no to a party at Soho House. Plain and simple. Add in one of the most decadent stores ever (Barney’s New York) and one of the best makeup brands of all time (NARS) and there’s not even any room for negotiation. Barney’s and NARS partnered to celebrate the pre-Fall collections and guests were treated to an amazing Q&A with Francois Nars himself and Barney’s Fashion Director, Amanda Brooks.
The event was held in one of Soho House’s private rooms and we got to listen to Francois discuss his vision for the brand as well as hear Amanda discuss Fall 2011 fashion trends like rich burgundy’s, greens, teals, lady-like details and unconventional hemlines. And hint, pointy toe heels are definintely back. I’m also loving the NARS pre-Fall makeup collection (pictured above) because how amazing and rich are those colors? The blue eyeshadow is seriously intense, in a good way.
Not the best photo but NARS makeup artists where available for touch-ups and I attempted what I like to call “the starter bold lip” using NARS “Manhunt” lipstick, which I’m now obsessed with.
New series alert! Every Monday I’m going to bring four things to you that are currently making me happy. A little happy dose for the worst day of the week! Sigh.
T By Alexander Wang One Shoulder Dress: I tried this dress on at Fred Segal a few weeks ago but they didn’t have my size (as I mentioned here). I couldn’t resist so I ended up ordering the LSD (Little Sage Dress) from ShopBop.com and liked it SO much that I then ordered the same version in black. The bad news? Both versions are now on sale and I paid full price. Get them on sale (since I didn’t)! The sage version is marked down to $99 (from $165) and the black version is marked down to $82.50 (also from $165)!
Birthday Cake in a Jar: As of late, I’ve been consumed with the idea of cakes in a jar. It’s weird, I know, but I’m thinking it may be a side affect from this super strict diet that I’m currently on (more about that later…so not Monday appropriate). This recipe looks fairly easy, for the baking-retarded like myself, and is pretty and festive.
NARS Nail Polish in “Orgasm”: Everyone raves about the color “Orgasm” from NARS and I’ve always agreed – the color is pretty and works well on almost all skin tones. And then I came across the nail polish version and became and even bigger believer. I want, no, I NEED this color for summer.
“All You Need Is Love” hand painted wall decor: The famous Beatles quote is, simply put, just lovely hand-painted on a wooden plank. The artist makes these in Northern California and can even customize color and size. I’m contemplating this for my entry way. Thoughts?
