Only Smudges Remain...

The Mystery of the Fading Lipstick

For generations lipstick bridged the gap between being a child and becoming a woman. Wearing lipstick was seen as a right of passage, the definition of feminine beauty, a pillar of power for women- so why has lipstick faded? Who has wiped clean the lips of millions of women throughout the western world, leaving only smudges of the vibrant tones that once stained our lips?

With the recent, and sadly official, demise of NBC's "Lipstick Jungle", I am left wondering why recent generations have lost interest with the 'lipstick trend'. This trend once shaped Hollywood beauty and formed the foundation for our mothers and grandmothers, as they learned how to apply makeup. Why has lipstick become such an afterthought?

Here's my hypothesis: Lip Gloss
The birth of the lip gloss has greatly impacted today's tweens, teens and young women, resulting in lipstick getting quickly pushed onto the back burner. I mean really, why would we want to invest in high quality, beautiful hues of designer lipstick when we can buy cheap tubes that contain awfully pungent,very fruity smells that cause not only sticky lips, but also fingers, and leave residue in the lining of our handbags? I must say that I'm really stuck on this one. Just think about the absurdity!

If you are a mother, I urge you to teach your daughter what your mothers taught you about lipstick! Show them the glamour that is created using a tool that stands for femininity and beauty! And you tweens, teens and young twenty-somethings, stray from your days of smelling like a Bath and Bodyworks shop and being forced to clean the gloss off the bottom of your purse! Go to a cosmetic counter and sample the colors of Dior, MAC, Chanel,Clinique and Shiseido! Not only will you be pleasantly surprised by the enhancement you see, but I think you just may be forever finished dabbling with grimy lip gloss and allowing it to take up space in your handbag- let alone leaving residue on your wallet and sunglasses! After all, lip gloss really only belongs in cheap goody bags that are tossed out to guests of a seven year olds birthday party! Take my advice- invest in the best....and bring back the beauty of lipstick!

FashINSPIRATION: SJP

Channeling to: Chanel '09
Going coocoo for Coco and Carrie!

As the fabulously wonderful Carrie Bradshaw says, "Every once in awhile, a girl has to indulge herself." To that I say, I couldn't agree more! I HIGHLY recommend indulging in the new Chanel Spring Collection! It is full of sultry, silk dresses, sky-high patent leather pumps and rich, tulle, cropped jackets- all decadent and worthy of giving into!

Sarah Jessica Parker recently attended a Chanel event dressed in head to toe Chanel. SJP glowed in a satin, one shoulder, dusty charcoal tone dress with subtle fold-over pockets accompanied by a lightweight pink tulle jacket with subtle gray stitching. The varying textures created a stunningly feminine look, with a dash of fun flavor! To complete her rich look, SJP stepped out in a pair of black and metallic gold pumps and carried a black quilted bag with chunky gold chains. To offset the chic look she slid into detailed black tights that were opaque below the knee and darker on the thigh. (Quite similar to the look she rocked in the Sex and The City movie- when she wore the pink dress, black rhinestoned belt and footie tights connected to her pumps!-below/right) Her look was stunningly elegant, yet had a hint of "Carrie Bradshaw-esque" style (which I love)!

I am consistently drawn to SJP's fashion choices! She explores different elements of style by pairing unlikely items, like the textured tights to a chic outfit, and creates not only a masterpiece but a bold footprint we should all follow! The new spring Chanel line carries the perfect items this season if you want to creat an outfit to fit a structure similar to this particular ensemble. You will end up with a standout outfit that will give you a femine look without being too conservative.

Though we might not all be 'Carrie Bradshaws' who pound the New York pavement (cosmos in hand of course!) dressed in eclectic outfits that scream loudly, we can still learn a lot from this fashion icon! So, this season make a spring resolution and take a step in the right direction with SJP and Carrie in mind! Delve into a new world that explores different looks, textures and fun accessories that mold well together to make a masterpiece, but feature stand-out items that claim attention!

SA-FARI, SO GOOD!

SAFARI IS IN!

Pounce into spring with vibrant animal prints paired with solid camels and browns! Your basic khakis will be the purr-fect foundation pieces for this year's safari chic ensembles!

To create an eye catching, yet feminine, safari look, the right dose of color and zesty animal print combined with thick shoes and jewelry are essential! Sea foam greens, vibrant peacock purples, aquamarine blues and eye catching prints are very important. They add pizazz to the basic skin color foundation pieces found in the rustic, khaki and camel tones. Zippers and silk are also important when building this look. Mixing textures and rocking pieces with weight- like straps and pockets- and adding a layering light weight fabric will give dimension and texture as you explore the safari! Another area of importance: accessories! Finishing the look with heavy jewelry, for instance thick bamboo bracelets, and a pair of sandy brown or ivory gladiator heels will have you lookin' fierce!

Make a Bold Statement: Cuff Jewelry

Do You Stack Up?

Big, bold jewelry is the way to go this season! Stacked, cuff bracelets are being worn by celebrities, like Victoria Beckham, and featured all over the runways, including Ferretti, Louis Vuitton (my fav!) and Pucci!

Cuffs are extremely versatile; they can be stacked or mismatched, worn with formal dresses or jackets and casual jeans. When wearing cuffs- more is more! You can try thinly- wired bracelets or heavy metal pieces, for a more dramatic look, try both! Mixing and matching is a great way to blend different looks. Playing with different colors and jewels is fun as well! Stacking electric neons on top of one another can work wonders for an all black look. Over-the-top jewels are also a fun way to add a pop of fresh color to your outfit! Fabric-covered cuffs are also a great way to rock this look. Beautiful beading, leather cord and soft suede cuffs are authentic and will add texture to your ensemble. From indented metal to contrasting brights, this statement is all the rage!

High-Waists and a Little DIY

Flouncy, High-Waist Looks Creeping Up Again

High-waisted pants and skirts have dominated the fashion industry for centuries and now they're creeping back!!! To emulate this trend, I incorporated a very simple DIY project to get the look.

Last spring, I bought a creme and brown printed, umpire waist, tank dress from Forever that had brown buttons up the front. Not quite sure how I would wear the dress, it sat in a drawer for several months, but I am excited to inform you that it has now made a comeback this season! At midnight last night, I pulled the dress out and decided it needed some work. Taking some easy steps, I made it into a high-waisted, flouncy skirt!
I cut off top of the dress and the belt loops, keeping the stitching at the waist in tact. I then created front pockets by cutting between the layers of cotton and cleaning up the edges with a
little sewing. Once the dress had made its much-needed-transformation, I paired it with a thick, vintage belt at the waist and experimented with different tops.

My favorite look consisted of a green, v.neck sweater with lots of gold bangles and a long pearl necklace wrapped several times around my neck. The weave on the belt added thick texture against the cotton skirt and the bangles added an element of punk. The long pearl strand, wrapped several times, added dimension and a touch of refinement. **Make sure you pick contemporary accessories when wearing this look! High waists have made appearances through the years, so they need to be kept looking modern w/ contemporary accessories, hair and makeup! **
The second look I tried was more casual and perfect for summer days. To brighten the look, I paired a silk, fuschia, open-neck top with the skirt. The shiny, opaque top layer of the tank added a modern, somewhat flashy, twist to the outfit!

Other looks and inspiration:

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Flapper-inspired Fringe Finally Returns!

Fringe seems to be hanging around this season- and not only at London's Fashion Fringe Competition! It has been appearing on everything from boots and heels to dresses, bags and tops and I must admit that I want 'in' on this craze. Currently, I'm in the process of compiling a list of 'must' fringe pieces, and let me tell you- it is not an easy task! Not only are there hundreds of great fringe items, but they are all unique and eye-catching!

Whether you're looking for a western-inspired look or the perfect ensemble for a dressy evening at jazz in the park this spring, you can incorporate style into your look. If your looking for a little bit more 'hands on' a DIY project might also a fun way to design a fringe look!

Travel Collage

One of my recent collages focusing on my desire to travel. I used oil paint on canvas board and then layered the globe and various pieces of paper over it. The plane is pinned into the board and raised with cardboard.

Drawing Concept: Sketches

Here is a sketch focusing on various angles within the basic form and structure of the female figure. It is essential to understand the structure of the figure and be able to correctly draw it before you can embark on designing!
There are several techniques that can be used when drawing- so don't think that you are limited. I chose to sketch a more structured form which is a somewhat basic. Once you understand the basic form and have practiced drawing enough, you will be able to sketch the clothing without all the lines seen in my sketch!

How to: Hair

Popping Pinks and Pastels Taking ROOT

As 2009's Mercedes Benz Spring Fashion Week bloomed, it seemed so did everyone's hair! Taking root were bright, cherry fuchsias and sweet, lilac pinks. The colors were worn with everything from avant-garde dresses and night-wear, to simple jackets and skirts. Several techniques were used to color the hair; chunky streaks of pink were placed near the face and in the bangs, and fading methods were used to blend the pinks into the whole head of hair. No matter what your style is, there are several ways to make this trend unique!

Runways, however, are not the only places where pink accents are blooming. Recent magazines, including Vogue, Nylon and W, are focusing on these bright hues for this spring's eye makeup. Sparkly, light, pink shadows and dark, heavy, cream liners, are a 'must' this season. For those of you who don't know if you can pull this look off , don't worry! There are hundreds of hues that fall into the 'pink pallet' category and will accentuate your natural beauty.

Whether for hair or skin -no matter what texture or hue- we can all have fun adding a splash of fresh, pink color to jump into spring. Our old winter looks are now beginning to thaw and a pop of pink will nurture a healthy spring look.

Burst Into Spring w/ a Bright Trench!

MAKE A
BRIGHT ENTRANCE!
-this spring's 'it' trench coats--

Now that the warm, clean scent of spring has filled the air and spring fever has begun to pump through our veins...what better time to talk trench coats!?

As winter began coming to an end, I promised myself I would invest in a trench coat that embodied spring with STANDOUT color, and unique embellishments! After searching, and being uber-picky, I found the one I 'had to have'! I found a Ben Sherman (Macy's is now carrying his line) green (not lime...dont worry!) trench coat, with small black and white checkered detail on the back of the collar, and chunky black buttons in the front and back! I was so glad to see the racks at Macy's and boutiques in Milwaukee coated with candy-colored trench coats that were practical, yet unique!

Marc Jacobs- one of my favorites- has several trench coats in his spring 2009 collection that are to-die-for! His pinks, oranges and greens give me flashbacks to picnics in the park, with bright colored fruits and pies!

What better way to jump into the spring season than with a necessary, foundation item that is bright and cheery! No matter what your style is- edgy, classic or hobo-chic- there is a trench coat waiting for you! Make sure to invest your time and search for it! Treat yourself to a wonderful trench coat that fits your style and will help you bloom and burst into spring as you attend parties, picnics at the park, dinner dates and nights on the town!

Leather Jackets and an Important Tip!!!!!!

hey guys!!! so im sure most of you are like me in the sense that you LOVE TO SHOP! (especially right after winter when spring fever fills the stores and our minds!) well...i recently went on a 'little' outing and found some great stuff!....one in particular- a leather jacket!!!
ive been searching for sometime now for a unique, beautiful jacket and finally spotted a fantastic one! because leather jackets are one of the 'it' items this spring- i have been on the lookout for a great leather jacket that will stand out from a generic black one....and i hit the jackpot! i found an awesome rustic maroon leather jacket with tulle pieces and great buttons! tulle is sewn into the bottom of the back, as well as the sleeves -when the gold zippers on the sleeves are unzipped a lining of tulle shows!-and...to top it all of, there are beautiful, soft, satin buttons that line the front, right shoulder of the jacket! im basically, completely in love with it! i HIGHLY recommend that you go out and find an awesome leather jacket, of course making sure that it is both unique and fitting of your personal style(SO important) leather jackets are so fun to play with, especially when incorporating spring tones and various textures (i especially love leather jackets over form fitting, floral dresses and a pair of heels- it creates an edgier, but still classy look!) leather jackets are great staple pieces and have flooded 2009 fashion week runways in New York and Europe!

***helpful and important tip***the key to owning a leather jacket is wearing it correctly! don't let the jacket wear you! instead, let it be a piece that is attention getting, but that doesn't scream too loud, thus hogging the entire spotlight! own it, don't let it own you! also, make sure you can mix and match the jacket with enough so you don't wear it once and store it in the farthest corner of your closest. we've all been in the position of owning a fabulous piece that can only be worn once a season to avoid repetitive recognition. don't let this happen to you! dress it up, dress it down, let it be the center piece for an outfit as well as a part of the background and you will avoid this unfortunate and common problem!

....so if you are asking yourself what piece is a MUST for this spring i urge you to search for a jacket that you will love and have fun with! good luck searching!

Still Loving the Dark Nails :)

(sitting in the sun...loving my dark nails and *new* BCBG leather jacket!)

i have lots of fetishes, but one of the many is nail polish!!!! I especially LOVEEEEEE urban's dark nail polish colors:) (the blues and purples are my fav) so fun to play around with the diverse tones and mix the colors! .....dont let them chip though!...not classy:)

most know about the 'dark nail color' trend (really became established spring 2008-but im still loving it!). it can be dressed up, dressed down, for those with a preppy style or punk! i love couture adds that incorporate dark nails w/ intense pieces of clothing. dark nails are so fun against outrageous clothing! nail polish is like the new 'it' accessory!