Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Spring Blazers

Here are some great spring blazers.
Can be paired with jeans, skinnies, tee shirts, dresses...ANYTHING!!
Also, perfect way to spice up your work wardrobe!






Sunday, February 26, 2012

Etsy Finds

I could literally spend HOURS searching on Etsy!
You can find unique items, and most of them handmade.
Here are a few of my some Sunday finds.







Makes a great stacking ring!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Neon Favorites

Following up to yesterdays post...
here are a few of my favorite neon items out right now. 

Neon Pink Jeans from ASOS

Grey Cardi with pop of neon Yellow from Gap

Over-sized neon blue clutch from American Apparel

Neon peach suede pumps from Aldo

Black and neon blue pointed flats from Nine West

Neon green scarf from Urban Outfitters

Neon red nail polish from American Apparel

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

How to Wear Neon

Here are a few rules on wearing neon colors:

1.  Wear it with a neutral, like Emma and Blake did so beautifully.

2. Wear it with black.

3.  Wear it on your lips, just make sure that you pair it with neutral eye shadow.

4.  Wear it on your nails.  It is a safe way to test a bold color like this. 
A great look for the nails would also be to do all neutral nails,
but just paint the ring fingers with the bright color.


As you can see, neon colors should be worn as a pop of color, not an entire ensemble.
Follow these simple rules, and you will look flawless.
Check back tomorrow...I will post some of my favorite affordable neon items, and where you can buy them!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Weeknight Gourmet

Tonight I created a gourmet meal with some of my Farmer's Market buys on Saturday.
I made shrimp pasta with fresh pasta, garlic, red onions and basil.

-Started out by slicing 2 small onions, thawing out the shrimp and 
rough chopping garlic and basil.
-Next, I started boiling the salted pasta water, and heated up a large frying pan 
with 2T of butter and eyeballed about a 1/8 to 1/4c of extra virgin olive oil(to make a sauce).
-First I added the onions to the oil and butter for a few minutes, the garlic next, and lastly the shrimp.
-After the shrimp started cooking, I put the pasta in the boiling water for only 2 minutes. 
-Lastly I drained the pasta, and tossed it into the pan with the shrimp, then added the basil.
Fresh herb pasta from Ohio City Pasta
-Finally added a few finishing touches with a little more chopped basil, and shredded parm cheese.

This is something that you can easily make, I promise! Rustic meals like this do not need to be perfect!
You can substitute any veggies in here that you have on hand.
Buying local and fresh food, will always make your food taste better and take a meal from
regular to gourmet!

Please share some of your go to weeknight easy gourmet dinner recipes!!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Baseball Hat Trend

Baseball hats are not just for bad hair days anymore!
Thanks to Refinery29:
They spotted this trend all over the NYFW tents.

Dress it up...
Or take it casual...
Like the leather!



If you the the black on black NY hat:
Buy it here from LIDS for $35


If you like the leather hat:
Buy here for a steal at $13


I like this grey and blue NY hat for spring:
Buy here from LIDS for $35.


I will definitely be trying this trend soon!  
Best thing is I can just steal a hat from my boyfriend!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Local Farmers Market

Everyone always associates farmers markets with summertime, but not in Akron! 
The Countryside Conservancy has made it so you can get your local organic food fix throughout the winter.


3 reasons to buy local food:
1. Taste is better since the food is fresh and organic.
2. Healthier than food that is shipped across the country, which also makes food loose its nutrients. Local produce is also preservative free.
3. Supports local farmers, and is often cheaper in price for better quality products.


Here are just a few photos that I took today.




Really great looking produce for the middle of February!


This stuff is sooo good Ohio City Pasta


I cannot wait to make some hearty soup or fresh pasta and vegetables with my market buys!
If you are local to the Akron area, you should check this out at Old Trail School.
The next market is Saturday, March 3rd!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Color Block Nail Art

Color blocking is huge this spring.  
You can find this trend anywhere from fashion to make-up to NAILS!
Here are a few easy ideas that you can do yourself.

French Mani Color Block Variations:
Refinery29.com covered this from the Rebecca Minkoff Fall 
2012 NY fashion week.  It is a natural base with a shimmery tip.

Neutral base and pastel tip.


Half Moon Color Block Variations:
Love this bone color with the bright yellow!

Found this on a blog called Pretty Shiny Sparkly.
The lilac paired with the gold is so cute! Click on the link for the how to.


Don't be intimidated by these nail art trends.  If you don't have a steady hand, like me,
then you can use french manicure stickers(found at any local beauty supply store).
Have fun! 
What are your favorite nail art trends for spring?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Trend Setter Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo always has classic, spot on style. 
She takes risks, and sets trends.
Here are a few looks from NY fashion week.
It is all about the jackets!!

Look #1:  
This striped jacket looks perfect paired with some classics, and nude bow pumps.

If you like this look, here is a similar striped blazer:


Look #2:
Again Olivia mixes basics with a great jacket and vest.  
These jeans are casual, which complement the fur vest, instead of compete with it.

If you like the fur vest, then you will like this Michael Kors Vest:

In the first photo it is hard to see, but below you can see the classic boucle jacket she had on underneath...

If you like her vintage type jacket, you will like this Bias Trimmed Jacket:




Look #3:
This is a dressier look with a black fur vest, paired with a shiny dress pant, and an embellished heel.

 Here is a similar Michael Kors Faux Fur Vest:
This is a little expensive, but something that you could wear a lot, dressed up or down.
Could be worn with anything from dresses, to jeans!


As you can see from Looks #1,2 and 3 Olivia has impeccable, effortless style.  You can achieve this by pairing basic shirts, jeans and pants, with a great jacket/vest and fun shoes or jewelry.   


Something else that I really liked from Olivia's Fashion Week Looks, 
was her simple, beautiful make-up and hair.
To achieve this...
Hair:  Pull hair into a loose ponytail, or just add a few undone curls to the ends.
Make-Up:  Use neutral eye shadows, with a thick liquid liner.  For the lips just use a natural pink or mauve color.


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!