New website/blog love...

Lovelies! I found some NEW places online that I love to go to in order to waste time and daydream about fashion (as if I needed more reasons)...

First up - SPOOL NO.72 Clothing Company! Not only is the name just super-cool and throwback-sounding, but the site has lovely photography and unique, cozy, beautiful pieces that could really add something special to your basics. Sweaters, unique jewelry, floaty tops, ahhhhh...

Second - Sex and Coffee, the addictive fashion blog by young-California-transplant-now-living-in-Boston Melissa.

Not only does she weirdly remind me of my little (ultra-fashionable and pseudo-stylist) sister, but she puts together outfits and makeup looks that manage to be trendy, edgy, beautiful and feminine all at once. This is the main reason I am now obsessed with finding blue suede pumps.

Yes, I am jealous. Leave me alone to pore over her quirky self-styling so that I can try and emulate her. You should do it too.

Bat your eyelashes...

...especially if they're falsies! I have been to 2 weddings in 2 weeks, complete with the necessary grooming and preparation that we ladies require to feel and look our best (hairstyling, makeup, cocktail dress) along with the less obvious (waxing, strapless bras, etc.). However, I propose that the next best thing to having toned arms and the perfectly coordinated clutch are definitely, without a doubt, false eyelashes.

I tell you lovelies, as soon as those babies are put on by a professional, only a tiny bit of additional makeup is necessary. Not to mention how fabulous one feels once they've been applied! There's a certain je ne sais quois about long, feathery eyelashes...who am I kidding? I know what! Inherent femininity, sexiness and allure - all from a few fake pieces of hair glued onto your eyelids. Nice!

I personally prefer the look of 4-6 individual clusters per eye (vs. the full strips) and while your local salon/spa is the quickest way to do it (about $15-20 per 10-15 minute session), you can try your hand at doing it yourself for your next night out.

FYI - most salons use the same kind you can find at your local drugstore or beauty supply store:

* Ardell
* M.A.C.
* Sephora

Here's a great video tutorial on individual lashes by makeup artist Kandee Johnson:



Here's a nice video tutorial on applying strip lashes by M.A.C. Makeup Artist Chantell Miller:



Either way, curling your lashes and applying eyeliner and mascara beforehand is the best prep for the best results. Now go get sexy eyes!

I'm dreaming of vintage...

...in the form of a leather mini or pencil skirt, high-waisted or not, black, brown or bright, 70's or 80's, depending on the look you're going for. Picture it in all its tight, sexy gloriousness with a blousy, ruffly top or a tissue-thin, voluminous, v-neck t-shirt topped off with, of course, some bad-ass heels. The key here is to counteract its original era with a modern top and shoes as well balance its form-fitting nature with some volume.

Naturally, I have not yet tried on this outfit as it is still living in my imagination, but this may be my next fashion prey as I move through the web, second-hand stores and rummage/thrift sales this summer.

I think for the current season, it would look amazing with bare legs, strappy yet substantial sandals and a thin top with some volume. For fall/winter, I would rock it with solid tights, boots/booties - no brainer, really...

Some ideas are Urban Outfitters' Urban Renewal Vintage Leather Mini Skirt (pictured above) and the Silence & Noise Moto Skirt, which is neither leather nor vintage, but who's checking?

For a great, great variety of choices, check out Etsy's selection of vintage leather. Tons of choices, colors, decades and price points - highly recommended!

The nice thing about leather is that it's a material that is inherently classy, sexy, cool and, let's face it, can be tight on the body without showing lumps. Not that you have any. But if you did, we'd really love that feature, wouldn't we?