Eclectic Comfort



Blouse: Anthropologie, Crochet Top: Calypso, Jeans: Jbrand, Flats: Old Navy



I'm happy to introduce you to my sweet pup Chloe...named after the brand of handbag I aspire to one day own.  That's not true actually.  She came with the name when we adopted her from a very generous friend of my mothers one year ago.  Nonetheless, I do virtually pine over Chloe handbags on a regular basis and have begun to consider robbing a bank so I can finally have one.

Howdy Partner

This is what I wore to an event in NYC this past weekend which involved a Country Western theme and dancing.  Thankfully, the music wasn't country and I was able to dance my ass off.  As a matter of fact, I almost did.  These faux leather pants, which I had to have from H&M split right under my left butt cheek from seam to seam mid-boogie.  This is a sad post for me, provided I had to have these lovelies and wore them only 5 times before their sorry end.  I honestly would prefer real leather and have owned a few pairs of leather pants over the years.  Alas, it wasn't in the budget year and these made me almost as happy.  That being said, I adore leather pants and find no better way to look badass than with tight black leather pants paired with......anything. 

 I know leather pants aren't typical to country western themes but I try not to be too predictable when styling my ensembles.  This was actually thrown together quite quickly.  Those are often the looks that are the best..... thrown on without too much deliberation or neurosis and then out the door.  

Boots and Top: Target, Pants: H&M

 Doing a freestylee hoedown to a fiddle in my head.

Date with hubby.

This is actually from Valentine's Day, I just only got around to posting it now.  This skirt is 10 years old and was attacked by a cat once but I still love it as much as I did the day it was purchased.

I saw this exact coat so many times at fashion week along with similar variations. I actually said I'd puke if I saw another leopard/cheetah coat once I arrived home.  Alas, I'm over it.  Anyhow,  I haven't seen any cheetah or leopard coats here in suburbia. Thus, I feel it's my duty to wear it every now and then. 

Kissing my other Valentine's goodbye before the big date.

How to Wear Pleated Trousers

A few years ago I would have told you that pleated pants were the biggest fashion crime one could make.  Well, here I am wearing them and feeling oh so chic.  

Sweater and Belt: Thrifted, Trousers: Anthro, Shoes: Forever 21

If you like the look and want to try pleated trousers the most important way to wear them is is to accentuate your waist.  DO NOT hide your waist with a tunic or a boxy/loose shirt.  Definitely choose a pant that sits higher on your hips and further accentuate your waist with a belt.  Since the pleats add volume, a fitted top is an excellent choice to bring balance to your proportions and appropriateness to a work outfit.

Ashley

I introduce to you....Ashley.  She has amazing style that I absolutely adore.  I hope to show you much more of her on this blog.  She's feminine and romantic and predominately wears skirts/dresses.  I admire her knack for mixing textures and her ability to accessorize like it's no body's business.  She is definitely an inspiration to me and many others I know

See that fringe at the hem of the skirt? That's an entirely different garment....a slip I presume?  How does it feel to be so fabulous Ashley?    Actually, Ashley may not know how to respond to that.  She's quite humble and down to earth -  another quality that makes her that much more appealing.

Three beauty products that changed my life.

Most girls have particular beauty products they can not live without.  Fortunately, mine are not a $120 Chanel face cream or a $200 botox injection (yet).  Here are my three affordable and life changing beauty products in order of life altering intensity.  

Tigi Rockaholic Hairspray I was introduced to this while observing a primping session before my (now)sister-in -law's bachelorette party in a motel room in Point Pleasant (AKA The Jersey Shore).  As usual, I had showered, put make-up on, threw some clothes on and did absolutely nothing to my hair short of washing it in the shower and combing it when I got out. Melissa, one of the bridesmaids, bless her heart, had this with her and shared the magic potion with me. I said it that night "this is going to change my life" and I'm saying it now: For a girl who's favorite hobby is vanity....this stuff changed my life.  Since then, my naturally thick, red  hair has happily rocked the beach waves look in which I chased for years countless times.  The best part...... it's easy as pie.  I wash my hair every morning and just spray the waves when they are still wet/damp and they maintain shape for most of the day....with the little help of an obessesive maintenance spray every now and then for the first few hours my hair is still drying. It's $16 at my local beauty supply store but I'm looking into cheaper options such as Amazon because I can't live without it.

Two Faced Shadow Insurance. I bought this for $18 one year ago on Sephora.com.  I'm just about due for a new one and I use it EVERY DAY.  I put this eye shadow primer on in the morning and let it dry with my eyes closed for about 60 seconds (to prevent creasing). I then apply my eye shadow, let's say at 6:30 am, and it's still intact  when I get home from sweating my ass off at the gym at 8:30pm that night.  My eye shadow would not last past lunch when I was using other equally priced but completely inadequate eye primers.  These  Irish features need make up people. Life changing.

AmorePacific Treatment Enyzme Peel I bought this the same time as the shadow insurance one year ago for $60 and I'm not even half way through it.  This is my exfoliator and I use it once or twice a week.  It's much gentler than more abrasive exfoliants but it brightens up my reflection and cleans out all those pores that I fill up with make-up every day. My pores are clearer than they were a year ago, and I haven't had a facial in about a year and a half.

Polka dots and Stripes

Sweater: Anthropologie, Skirt: Citizens of Humanity, Tights: Target, Booties: Aldo 

Here is something I wore to work at my second job at Anthropologie. Hence the high volume of Anthro clothing in my wardrobe.  P.S. I think it's time for a haircut.

I thought this coat was the perfect color to start off my March posts.  Happy St. Patricks Month!