Hang on Summertime, we still need to wear crop tops and shorts!

I cannot believe that summer is coming to a close, I will hold onto the crop top trend for dear life til there's nothing left!!!

Sophia is wearing an American Apparel crop top, her shorts, and Prabal Gurung for Target heels.

Xoxo,

Ariel 

Shimmery Summer Eyes

Its best to keep eye shadow minimal and simple during those hot summer days. I love using a shimmery eye lid color like MAC's mineralized eye shadow (#5), with a nice crease color like MAC's Brown Script (#3), and a simple matte highlight like Bobby Brown's Shell.  I'm obsessed with eye shadow palettes, Cortney will forever make fun of me for it- but they are just so addictive! Besides the obvious Naked Palette (which I love also), Sleek Makeup has some amazing palettes that are super pigmented and diverse. I will do another post on the ones that I have collected thus far, but the Au Natural palette is great for a neutral summer look.

The drug store has really been stepping up their game lately and this Maybelline eye studio quad (#1) is no exception. There are great bronzy-red tone colors in this palette- I'm not really a fan of the shimmer white highlight but the other 3 colors are amazing. I like wearing each of them by themselves on the lid and then blending them out. I'm a bit afraid of a lot of color on the lid so these pops of bronze and red are a nice compromise.

Loving the simple makeup look for the summer, it has been hot as hell here and having heavy eyeliner and mascara running down your face is not a good look. Less is more! XOXO Ariel

OOTN: Bowling Date!

I bought these shoes a while ago and don't get that much wear out of them because they are not comfortable. So when I decided to go bowling I knew I wouldn't be wearing them that long so I threw them on. I thought that this look was comfortable (although a little tight and restricting if I ate anything lol) but I've been wearing this top non stop. One of my favorite stores for basic cute tops is Foreign Exchange, very inexpensive, good quality, and everything I've purchased there is extremely versatile. 

Needless to say bowling is one of my favorite date night things to do and... I whooped some ass :)

Top: Foreign Exchange
Jeans: BDG Urban Outfitters
Shoes: JustFab
Bag: Alexander Wang
Open Sweater: Zara (super old)

Xoxo,

Ariel 

Ootd: Listening party!

I recently went to a listening party and it was really nice out so I took advantage of it. I've been obsessed with my jeans from American Apparel in the flamingo print. They are so comfortable, high waisted, and I am in love with the retro print. I am soaking in summer and I hope you are all doing the same!!

Top: Foreign Exchange
Pants: American Apparel buy them here
Shoes: Senso buy them here
Purse: Mini Mac by Rebecca Minkoff
Sunglasses: Gucci

Xoxo,

Ariel 

Thursty Thurdays: You don't need Mac lipstick to be fly!

I recently came across Milani lipsticks, and OMG they are amazing! Super hydrating, soft, and movable- so worth the $6!!! You can find these at any CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, or Target, I'm officially obsessed

My favorites so far:

Flirty Fuchsia  

Rose Hip

Flamingo Rose

Fruit Punch

Xoxo,

Ariel 

Old Gel Nails?!

Are you too busy, tired, lazy, or cheap to have you Gel manicured nailed taken off?

I got my nails done a couple of weeks ago before my summer trip.  Now that I'm back at work and catching up on Everything, I just haven't had time (or energy) to go get my nails redone.

So, I thought I'd get creative - how about some Splatter Art Nails?

See the transition below...



1.) Go through your bucket of nail colors and pick out at least 3 solid colors and 2 shimmery/glitter polishes

2.) Gather cotton balls, toothpicks, makeup wedges, and cotton swabs for painting

3.) Start with ugly grown out gel nails...

4.) Now just go to town on your nails! - there really is no technique. Channel your inner Jackson Pollack by using various tools (step 3) to achieve your desired look.

5.) Try adding the glitter polishes last to show the solid layers below.

6.) Take the makeup wedge and lightly dab it in a dark solid color polish (I chose black).  Lightly dab over your nails to create depth.  Clean up your edges with a nail polish remover pen or cotton swab and of course finish with clear topcoat.

Not a masterpiece, but they will do for now :)


xoxo,
Cortney

I don't pop molly, I rock Tom Ford

On our last trip to Vegas I finally decided to splurge and get myself Tom Ford Lipstick, something I have been lusting over for what feels like forever.

I decided on buying 2- Cherry Lush (classic red) and Spanish Rose (light pink seen below). I thought that these two were versatile enough that I could get a lot of wear out of them. I absolutely love the Cherry Lush, its my favorite red lipstick of all time. Its creamy, hydrating, doesn't feather out, and adds an amazing pop of color to the lips. The Spanish Rose is probably my least favorite, at the time I figured it would be a great everyday lip color but it doesn't give me enough color for my skin tone. The last lipstick I received as a gift and is called Insidious- this formula seems more glossy then the other two. I absolutely love this peachy-pink tone and rock this color all the time- the photo does not do this color justice.

Tom Ford lipsticks are really pricy and if someone were to ask me if it was worth it...I'd have to say probably not. They are lovely formulas, and look amazing in the bottle but there are comparable brands that are a fraction of the price. However, I love to try new brands and sometimes its nice to treat yourself to a luxury brand- I will not be purchasing any more of these lipsticks though.

If you're interested you can buy them here

Left to Right: Cherry Lush, Spanish Rose, and Insidious

Cherry Lush

Spanish Rose

Insidious 

Same order 

Xoxo,

Ariel 

How the hell do I wear my Damsels?!

I bought these Dasmsels on the Solestruck.com black friday sale for a steal, once I got my hands on them they were a little intimidating. I knew that there were countless ways to style them it just takes a bit of bravery and daring fashionista to pull them off. I put Sophia in this simple Stussy t-shirt dress, blazer and the Damsels to create a sexy edgy look. If something feels too sexy or like too much for you, adding a blazer creates a more cleaned up silhouette. I think you could rock a look like this all year long- yes even in the snow :)

Xoxo,

Ariel 

Lead Writer on StyleSaint: Stylebook on BLACK

A feature I did on StyleSaint.com

xoxo,

Cortney

All you need is a white tee...

I love a simple white tee, when you're constantly on the go (and do not have a disposable income) its really important to have transitional pieces. A white tee can range from $5-$75, but whether or not you're rocking a Forever 21 joint or a T by Alexander Wang one its all the same really. I love putting a simple t shirt with edgy pieces to add a bit of softness and simplicity to the look. I put Jessica in a no-name brand t-shirt, faux leather shorts, Dolce Vita red sling back heels, and a sheer black button up. I love how effortlessly chic she looks!

The basic pieces will continue to be at the forefront of most of our looks because everyone has that old white tee hanging in their closet that needs some love and affection.


Happy Friday!!!!

Xoxo,

Ariel 

Obsessed....CROP TOPS!!!

Hey Beyonce!

My hands down obesession for summer 2013 is CROP TOPS. I was obsessed last fall/winter but summer really gives you a real reason to wear them all day errday. I like to keep them very simple, its already a statement piece in itself. What doesn't go with a crop top?!

A few of my favorites are down below as well as a few ootd's as well.

                                                                Buy Me HERE!

                                                                  Buy Me HERE!

                                                                    Buy Me HERE!

                                                                   Buy Me HERE!

Happy Styling!!!

Xoxo,

Ariel