In search of the perfect nude...

Lip, that is! I have long coveted that classic, super-smokey eye and nude/neutral lip look that always finds its way back into makeup fashion, but have never been able to find the right product to do so (a la Kim Kardashian).

So, upon wandering through the makeup department at Macy's, the oh-so-helpful girl at the Lancome counter answered my prayers! Part lip pencil, part lipstick, Lancome's Le Lipstique LipColouring Stick is seriously a wonder-product.

Super-creamy, waterproof, full of pigment and in the perfect neutral colors (I love it in "Bronzelle") to really mute out your natural lip color, it's excellent on its own or layered under a favorite lip color or gloss (like Lancome Color Design "Vintage Rose" lipstick). Plus, the other end of the pencil has a lip brush! Normally a MAC junkie, I have a new favorite makeup item girls, for real...

Buy it for about $20 at Lancome USA or Sephora and get nude!

New wardrobe essential alert...

Finally, the trend of volume and draping has made its way into mainstream fashion! Not only is it more comfortable, but it is often more flattering and interesting - 3 things that are great for anything you have to wear for more than a couple of hours.

Take, for example, your basic t-shirt. While that standard white, ribbed neckline and tiny pocket version may still work as a classic, why not update it a bit for your every day AND going out wear? Try something with much more volume and in an unusual color (gray? fuschia?), some new details (ruffles? pintucks?) and more luxe materials (bamboo jersey? silk?). Then pair it with the usual - a little pencil or mini skirt, jeans, shorts or the UNusual - a suit or leggings, maybe...

I especially like the look of reining in some of the blousiness with a wide or skinny belt or layering a bunch of long necklaces over the top of it, turning a basic outfit into something much more special.

Need some examples?

American Apparel Viscose Dolman Sleeve T
Anthropologie Captured Furrows Tee
Splendid Jersey V-Neck
Free People Draped Scoop Muscle Tee

Now, newly inspired, give your closet a new definition for t-shirt!

Oh, oh UNIQLO...

It's been said that if you were to take H&M and American Apparel + add a dash of Japanese fashion flair, you'd get UNIQLO. If you love the Euro and/or Japanese feel in your fashion and have a serious addiction to solid colors and well-made, affordable, comfy basics that you can make your own, this is the place to go.

The Japanese characters for UNIQLO sound like "U-NI-KU-RO" which is, to a Japanese ear, the shortened version of "unique clothing." "Clothes as lifestyle components" is the Japanese retailer's mantra, and I'm so loving that this Tokyo-based export wants us to be part of its world!

Unfortunately for us American ladies, the only U.S. store is the NYC SOHO Store, the brand's largest retail outlet in the world. Thank goodness for the Internet!

UNIQLO's website layout is pretty genius - super-clear pictures, great tidbits of global fashion snapshots, fun interactive features and search tools that are ridiculously easy to use and make a lot of sense (a combination that is very rare in online shopping these days).

Some of my favorites are:

*DI Shipley & Halmos Waist Sache Dress
*DI Shipley & Halmos Sleeveless Dress
*EFC Hooded S/S T Tunic
*LTWT CNT Stretch Layered Dress
*Dry Stretch Full Zip Parka
*Illustrators S/S Graphic T

Now go explore the rainbow!

If there's one shoe you must buy...

...let it be a nude/neutral-colored platform pump. Beginning with the current season, this shoe will be the most versatile addition to your wardrobe and the accessory you never knew you couldn't be without.

Equally excellent paired with dresses or suits, a closed-toe or peep-toe version in tan, khaki, nude, even gray can turn an otherwise standard outfit into a super-chic one. There's something very sexy yet understated about a shoe like this, no?

Some ideas are:

*Nine West "Rocha" (pictured above and absolutely perfect, but I'm partial to Nine West)
*Banana Republic "Jacky" Platform Pump
*Donald Pliner "Zina" Pump
*Type Z "Sireen" Pump

Let's see what you find to kick your jeans, dresses, office-wear (and heels) up a notch!

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!

Don't you wish you were mod?

Well, stop wishing girlies! One of my bestest friends, T, offered up this amazing online store that carries excellent trendy clothes and cheeky accessories at really affordable prices - perfect for all of us frugal fashionistas.

ModCloth.com carries one-of-a-kind vintage and vintage-inspired finds, and everything from indie & retro to cute & emo...tops, dresses, purses, jewelry, la la la galore. A few pieces that really caught my eye were the Cornerstone Purse (a lovely, putty-colored clutch/tote/slouchy thing that would go so well with jeans), the Getting To Know You Dress (a happy, very vintage-y summer dress perfect for work and cocktails), the High Seas Skirt (a perfect paper-bag waist pencil skirt in an awesome, versatile deep blue), and the Age of Industry Ring (a stacked, industrial-looking piece that's looks part 90's minimalist, part 80's rapper).

The shop only carries a limited run of each of its pieces (many are sold out by the time I've decided to buy!) which is good if you don't want someone else wearing the same thing you are tonight but is bad if you're indecisive. Great for all you impulse buyers on a budget out there!

Now you CAN be mod (or retro, or indie, or emo...) for very few George Washingtons. We like that!

How do you do updo?

Yes, girls, it's wedding season again. In full force. I get so tired of wearing the same hairstyle and always want a way to look a little more dressed up than the usual weekend look.

So, after surfing around a bit, I found the amazing Johnny Lavoy, a hairstylist and makeup artist with Ford Models, who has a bunch of great video tutorials for modern, sexy hair online.

I love this one in particular - How to Create an Evening Look in Minutes:



So easy, right!? Some others that I will definitely try soon are How To Create Sexy Supermodel Curls and How To Make an Eva Longoria Bob.

For updos, I really like Bumble & Bumble Classic Hairspray (super-brushable and smells lovely) and Redken Hotsets 22 Thermal Setting Mist (if you're heat-styling).

Also, a rat-tail comb is your friend, lovelies. If you don't have one, go pick one up for a few cents. Like right now.

2 Legit...

...yes, 2 Legit 2 Quit. I KNOW I consistently date myself with posts on this blog, but I just can't help what I find funny, can I? In the spirit of the '90's, check this totally radical video out.

First, a definition for those who are unfamiliar:

Definition: A flash mob is a group of strangers who organize themselves, using electronic media such as cell phones or the Internet, to gather together in a public place, behave in a predetermined manner for a predetermined amount of time, and then quickly disperse.

A successful flash mob event depends on the element of surprise. Participants, called mobsters, share news about the time and place for an upcoming event through postings on blogs, chain e-mail messages, SMS text messages and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

The first flash mob is attributed to Bill Wasik of Harper's Magazine in 2003. This idea has morphed into similar "group events" like those of Improv Everywhere (see my January 19, 2009 post "No Pants!").

I have always thought about participating in or organizing a flash mob event, but never wanted to do so as much as I have after seeing this video. It helps if you have mad dancing skills. MC Hammer lives on!

I love makeup...

...and I especially love makeup/beauty blogs! Thanks to the wonders of the internet, there are countless blogs online that give great makeup reviews and, my favorite, beauty how-to's and tutorials. These are especially helpful whether you're wondering about a new beauty product or considering (finally) learning how to do that smokey eye thing.

One of my go-to beauty blogs is by the fabulous Karen, a self-described "friendly neighborhood beauty addict." Her long-running blog, Makeup and Beauty Blog is one of the most popular ones around, and for good reason!

She's casual, funny (her cat, Tabs, makes frequent appearances) and extremely helpful, with step-by-step tutorials (her eye makeup tips are particularly good), beauty news and professional makeup artist advice. She also takes care to provide tips for both our fair-skinned friends and us deeper-skinned ladies - bonus!

Check out her latest post, "You Must Choose: The Tough Choices Edition." Hilarious.

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?