(From Left to Right: Garden Variety, Blossom Dandy, Flowerista, Petal Pushers, Perennial Chic, Picked Perfect)
Now this is pretty cool. Fashionista extraordinare Rebecca Minkoff has partnered with Essie, not only as the Global Color Desiger but also creating some magnificent colors with the nail polish line. If the names are not any indication, it's definitely a garden of bright and floral....ness. My faves? I'm definitely into Garden Variety and Flowerista and rather curious of Petal Pushers. You never know about the undertone or thickness of a polish until you are at CVS with your scotch tape. Completely normal!
Essie has always had a few rather hokey line names, but this one definitely takes the hokey award of all awards. But despite the name, some of these colors have a pretty great chance in my book. So CVS, stock this in another week because I need to do the scotch tape test on "Jiggle hi, Jiggle low" and "Back in the Limo" because pink and red colors, to me, are just so generic! What tickles your pleasure?
It is my favorite topic and time of year. Around midsummer one cannot help but be ready for the smell of burning leaves, freshly dyed fall-ready hair colors and leggings and scarves so we all must venture out to see what our favorite nail polish brands have up their cuticles. (oof, yes, I agree that one was horrible...)
Because Essie does fall colors like a boss! And while these are the official swatches for the very Scottish themed fall line, one should be at CVS in September with a roll of scotch tape ready to test drive Essie's pretty new babies. (Since, you know, colors look different on different skin tones...) I find myself attracted to Partner in Crime, Fall in Line and The Perfect Cover Up, if the latter is as soft as the swatch looks; if it's any darker it would be a contender up against Go Overboard.
If you simply can't wait, Dressed to Kilt is up for pre-order on Nails Ave and Transdesign. What colors are you attracted to?
While there is not a date or a full ad for the upcoming winter line, Essie put out some pictures that literally are blowing my mind. This girl is definitely, without a doubt, wearing Shearling Darling or Sable Collar or Parka Perfect over Christmas.
Looks like this girl is buying "For the Twill of it," "Vested Interest" and "Cashmere Bathrobe" for the fall! What are your favorites in the new line?
Ladies, get ready for some general epicness.
I know what I'll be buying (saturday disco fever, sunday funday, full steam ahead), what about you?
Essie's No More Film A mash up of dark blue/royal purple How many layers?: 1 + touch up Easily chippable?: No
Essie's Go Overboard Dark-Green based Turquoise How many layers?: 2 Easily chippable?: No
Nicole by O.P.I.'s A Pinker Shade of Pale A metallic mix of pink/silver/lilac How many layers?: Depends on shade acquired. Light = 1, Complete Color = 2 Easily chippable?: Mildly
Confetti's Masquerade Ball Chocolate red with red-gold Glitter How many layers?: 2 + touch-up Easily chippable?: Mildly
Wet an Wild Fastdry's Buffy the Violet Slayer Prime bright purple How many laters?: 1 + touch-up Easily chippable?: No
Always seek out a single color; it's no fun getting overwhelmed going "Oo must get two!" Pace yourself.
Keep scotch tape in your purse, place over nail and test the color closer to your skin tone.
If there's a color you like in a more "cheaper" brand, go with a darker colors and professional
brands will have stronger formulas for lighter colors.
If you have an addiction to spending like me, buy spendier brands like Essie's and OPI when the new line comes out, pick one or two key colors you do not have just yet. And if spending on a whim, I would buy under $5 polish. Milani is a fantastic middle ground.
Let me guess... the "How Well Do You Know Your Breasts" graph is a trick question? No two breasts are the same... sometimes on a single person. And don't presume to know my boobs... that's my girlfriend's job!
(on "We Were Born this Way') Yeah OK Glamour, because gay people are so extraordinarily different than straight people you want to put random gay people in your magazine just to ask questions of what their childhood was like. NEXT! Was there really any need to advertise Justin Bieber's new cologne? This is a woman's magazine not a teenager's magazine!
What They Did Right
Advertising Essie's new polish line for Breast Cancer Awareness Pimping out Parks and Recreation ("And Six More Becauses...") "Five Things I can Do Now That I'm Not in Harry Potter" Best. List. Ever. Making Emma Watson look drop-dead AWESOME.
1. Stars and Metric start showing up on your Ipod or MP3 player (perfect fall music)
2. You have a craving to be wearing thigh high boots, scarves, layers
3. You have a craving for soup and hot casseroles
4. You are perfecting your "Carrie strut" specialized for the cooler weather (what? I'm the only one?)
5. Nothing sounds better than scary movies assisted with a BIG bag of assorted candy
6. You start painting your nails the "it-colors" for fall a month or two earlier
7. You start planning your Halloween costume
8. Staring at leaves and nature waiting for them to brown up
9. When you realize the connection between Autumn and the smell of old books (for real, it exists)
10. When walking in cooler weather with a to-go coffee mug in one hand and a large Gothic novel in the other sounds extremely appealing.
The release of Essie's new colors for fall!!!
Coming out tomorrow... I have my mitts all over Stylenomics and Don't Sweater It. ... And maybe Miss Fancy Pants. What are you getting?
I love reading these kind of articles because I find myself influenced, so I hope to impart a little of my everyday routine on to whoever's reading! (Within feminine standards anyway)
Colorful Hair Clips and especially ones that are psychotically cheap (IC'ian ladies, look no further than Silver Spiders $1 or $2 tables, depending on your taste, I got this one in the picture for 2 dollars because I'm a sucker for darker colors, makes the hair color stand out more) and it's even better if you immediately put it in afterwards. I have to warn you though after wearing it on a 100 degree day of July 4th, the hair put up in said hair clip will be drenched with sweat.
Despite all the effort I put into my hair, having it perfectly dried and rounded under (since the right side of my hair tends to flip out) I still put my hair up after all that effort, and said effort goes into Garnier Fructise XXL Volume Mousse(which is very effective),
Garnier Fructise Sleek and Shine Blow Dry Protector and Fructise Style Brilliantine Shine Glossing Spray because I'm a perfectionist like that. And with my quickly growing hair, it is very thankful for my official three steps that really altogether costs under ten dollars. You can get these for fairly cheap at CVS at 3.99 depending what the product is and... it's magical. Like unicorns and rainbows magical.
One of the many things that makes my hairline sweat like me on July 4th (this year's holiday was hell on a stick for me) is Viveca Jensen's awesome workout of Piloxing and while I'm always slow on the up-keep on these things in being a newbie to the workout world, there is something rewarding between ballet-inspired cool-downs and the mixture of pilates and kickboxing. And maybe also a slight criticism on the moans and groans of the workout army behind Jensen (not that I'm complaining... it wakes me up a little... ahem).
But otherwise it's a great workout although it doesn't nearly stretch my body out like yoga or straight pilates can but it helps me eat a whole lot more during the day. Is that the goal of Jensen's mantra of "Sleek. Sexy. Powerful" exactly? Because despite the dancing portions in the video I find myself at my most feminine (maybe sexy?) just during the ballet-inspired cool-downs. Not everyone enjoys dancing and I find that intrusive. But again, it's fun and anything to melt away the excess around my triceps, right? Jensen even becomes relatable as she throws in a little silliness and "I feel it too" or "It's OK, just a little longer" as if sympathizing that yeah, it sucks but it's rewarding, and the process will make you laugh at her. That's what a good DVD instructor should do and that makes all the criticism for this workout melt off a little. Again, like the excess around my triceps, in time.
There is one arena of beauty that will NEVER make me critical and it's the world of Essie Weingarten or better known as just Essie. But I got to hand it to Weingarten for the latest line, Mirror Metallics, metallic but not too overwhelming and not so summery but enough to go with summer outfits. Sheer perfection, I say as I am wearing Blue Rhapsody at the moment.
And while Nylon Magazine did influence me towards Essie, paying $7.49 or $8 for the little bastards at CVS, I can also blame Musings for Manhattan. And since I am rather susceptible to the power of Nylon Magazine anyway, I had to follow their word for Biore Make-Up Removing Towlettes and ho-lee crap, it's worth the $6. If makeup wipes are $6, it really cannot be worth it and just take it off with your face wash -- um, no you have to convert to this power. It doesn't smell like alcohol! It smells a little fruity! It has slight ridges so it grabs makeup really good! If that doesn't get you, just read Nylon, they probably worded it better than I did.
1. It is perfectly OK to buy a complete outfit to wear on the warmest day without a jacket.
2. Staying home on a Friday night may sound miserable, but it's even better to spice it up with an oatmeal/egg white/honey facial and painting your nails so you look good for the coming week.
3. Thou shall change up your hair product brands, it may even be better for your hair.
(Recommendation: Garnier Fructise XXL Pump for thin hair)
4. There's nothing wrong with looking weird with your fashion choices; spring is a hard and unpredictable season to dress for.
5.You are still allowed to be drinking hot tea, it's not too hot out yet.
6. It is more than fine that your nails are decked out in stereotypical spring polish.
7. Do not be ashamed to be reading so much Glamour magazine you start making lists like them. *eyeshift*
8. Changing up the way you put on eyeliner is perfectly acceptable, sometimes a mistake may actually look cool.
9. To have a "Whimsy and Cute" playlist on your mobile music device, it's even better to be played with a cute sundress on (worn ironically of course!)
10. Thou shall wear yellow on a crap day, it'll make you more sunshiny-er.
If today's weather wasn't what I envisioned in my last vspot (Good Lord, I'm sounding old just talking about weather) it wouldn't have been a sign with the wonderful 30 degree flustering flurries that land on my nose and eyelashes -- if my glasses weren't shielding them, that was an incentive to blog this strange and wonderful week.
I'm writing this as I eat a vegan chocolate and peanut butter cupcake...
Peach Nail Polish isn't a Myth!!
I have cried and pleaded to the nail polish Gods (and Musings from Manhattan) for a peach nail polish to come to me and through Musings from Manhattan's email to me on their used blog polish sale that looks like it's over with that hope is nearing. Essie Spring 2012 line is going to deliver... hard. MFM continued to send me this link at another blogspot sister Scrangie which shows the latest palate that will be gracing CVS's shelves within the next month. And just happens the first polish reviewed is the peach "A Crewed Interest" which is seriously rocking my clock. Onto peach lipstick...
Pop-Up Local Quirky Stores Are Back in Business in IC
Iowa City isn't just the city of literature, it is the city of fantastic local jewelers/artists/accessory maestros and someone needs to utilize these great artists in stores and not just the scattered one-of-a-kind shops, farmer's markets and Art & Craft (or as I call it, Etsy Fair). But as of this past winter, fellow Osagian Catherine Champion created and opened the Pop-Up store called December which now will be rotated throughout the seasons -- called a different store every season. While I love love love that concept, I just think having a consistent one all year round without getting crazy thematic is good enough for me. Like, making an accessory/art Farmer's Market like store with art pieces displayed like produce. But while concept sounds odd, I'm oddly gearing up for the second project Champion has conjuring up -- with my local obsession known as Revival.
Revival and Champion will be getting together to unleash "Merci" on Iowa City, a "high end consignment shop" according to the Press Citizen article. It caused me to do a happydance all over my living room. Currently, there is a sense of hope in the downtown area of Iowa City because of the "Good Ideas" program that the city just recently put together to get Iowa City back its quirk by 2030, hopefully the quirk will be helped by the artists -- they always come through.
Margaret Berger Collabs With Charlotte Thorstvedt
What's like von Trier's Melancholia, a little Sapphic and all around a Scandinaviangasm of the highest order? Norge Idol 2004 Runner-Up Margaret Berger is starting to show a darker side lately with her heartbroken single "In a Box" and it's B-side clubby "4.E.V.E.R.L.O.V.E" and is starting to bloom into something sexier, she keeps getting better. Arrythmia is the lost Portishead song with Model/DJ Charlotte Thorstvedt who is starting a recording career and this is so promising, I reported to facebook with this link saying I had to wipe off buckets of drool off my couch.
Maggie Smith Continues to Become Immortal
As an official Downton Abbey geek (after 4 episodes), it's hard to believe that anyone could hate Maggie Smith's character The Dowager Countess of Grantham or if Potterheads are watching in grief of the Harry Potter franchise being over.remembering Smith going all Angelina Jolie in the last chapter. NeverthelessMaggie Smith's character is becoming immortal on throw cushions and now Tumblr. When Dowager Countess Texts is probably the best thing to happen to me this week and it just happened to me today. Best one so far?
ME:
TGIF!
DOWAGER COUNTESS:
TGIF?
DOWAGER COUNTESS:
Turkish gentleman is f*cked?
Sleigh Bells Flip Mustard Bottles Like a Boss
This is all you need to know about Sleigh Bell's newest video for "Comeback Kid," Alexis Krauss is looking unearthly beautiful as always and Derek Miller flipping a mustard bottle into a grocery cart is just plain epic. These people can make anything look beautifully hipster.
Although I am reserving outfits for another blog post, this calls for the accessories to take a stand.
2011 was the year of scarves scarves scarves... *Tourettes twitch* and hair pieces done by local artists (case in point, this kickass head band which I bought at the local holiday pop up store. Unfortunately the store is closed down until next year, so looks like Christmas headbands, you just wait!
5. Glitter Polish
... Or aptly named, "Shoot-me-now-why-isn't-this-coming-off" polish (it only came off if I damaged my enamel by biting it off), as amazing as it looks, don't be fooled. But we all make our first fashion mistakes and learn from them -- so in that process, never again. But for the time, this 1.99 polish at CVS, Spoiled Polish had my heart for a week.
4. Peacock Earrings
Another wonderful 3 dollar purchase from Silver Spider in the lieu of Post-Christmas shopping, where nothing is really wrong because dammit, I got paid too! Anyway, although the base color is gold (although you can't see that because of the flash), and me and gold don't seem to look too well together, but I forgive that because this is like feather earrings -- which are on the outs in 2012 in fashion -- but not necessarily an actual feather. Works for me, but I do mourn the ending of my awesome red feather earrings. :(
3. Silvery Cluster Earring
I know what you're thinking "OMG squeeee, she has tiny hands." Yes, I know this, let's move on. This ring is probably my top favorite out of all of the fashion rings I own (3 plus a gigantor class ring that I'll never wear ever again) because it doesn't look cheaply made. But the downside is that this 3 dollar ring from Silver Spider is that it's harder to size, as my finger's weight really does fluctuate. The others are easier because they are made with plastic, but that doesn't deteriorate my love for this super-sparkly ring, and surprisingly, I don't get distracted by its glitter, at all.
2. Essie's Midnight Cami Nail Polish
Under harsh sunlight showing the bad brush job I did, this dark-dark blue almost black polish seriously is my new favorite color. Not just because it feels like applying butter onto my nails, making them feel ten times smoother than with any other polish but because only took 2 and a half coats to get it completely covered. Did I mention this was the best textured Essie I've encountered yet? Ms. Essie, I am a devoted follower, now please put out that Nylon color!
1. Bath and Body's Forever Sunshine Cologne
Is it possible that a cologne could possibly get ones... ahem .... sexyback back? Because Bath and Body's Forever Sunshine (the clear opposite of my Vanilla Raspberry-something cologne I had which I ran out of over the summer) has been doing this to me. A little spicy in a chai sort of way but smells like heat and warmth, this polish actually is a huge confidence raiser. Women, take note.
French director and writer Michel Hazanavicius probably did not envision where his small little film (and silent of all things shocking and postmodern!) to be taken as far as being in talks for Oscar nominations for Leading Actor (Jean Dujardin) and even the off-chance of a petition to give Uggie the Jack Russell terrier a special nomination, much to the annoyance to Susan Orlean that in the case of Rin Tin Tin being the legendary almost-Oscar winner back in the first year of the now established Award show, "...members of the Academy, anxious to establish the awards were serious and important, decided that giving an Oscar to a dog did not serve that end.'" It's a dog! I think we are much smarter nowadays to believe anyone can act... if that monkey can speak, animals more than enough have a capability to be just as prominent as George Clooney or Ryan Gosling in a movie -- either way, women want to take Uggie home or at least Consider_Uggie on twitter and facebook for a nomination! This is a dumb piece of news anyway but I'm all for rallying to get The Artist nominated somehow; sound production would probably be the effective win because apparently a French actor of Dujardin's stature could never have a chance against Leo DiCaprio this year. Just saying.
They're Baaaack! Sound the Sleigh Bells!
Allison Krauss, Goddess of my heart and the Destructor to my eardrums, is back collaborating with Derek Miller for sophomore LP Reign of Terror, but they are coming back in style and down the rabbit hole a little bit in this 2 1/2 minute teaser.
Open Letter to Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman
Dear Mr. Gleiberman,
I more than respect your opinion in your column in last month's Entertainment Weekly "6 Fabulous Silent Film Classics," but I was saddened as an extreme historical cinephile that I have not even heard of all of them except for Pandora's box, which is rightfully there. What I also have a problem is the common theme. Your first statement is "Want more like 'The Artist?'" Well, silent film is not one huge encompassing genre, and you as a movie columnist should know that!
If you want to get more readers, you have to include some more historic pieces that precurse our more favorited genres, such as "M" featuring the marvelous Peter Lorre pre-Casablanca love (although you did pen Conrad Veidt's 'The Man Who Laughs' and he is a very honorable mention) and especially Metropolis, and I'm not just saying that because it's my favorite, but because science fictions and thrillers are what today's movie-goers are the most attracted to. The more films you include that have made cultural impacts will make the readers more interested. I have no hate against Sunrise and the others, but you should have made a conscious effort to include movies that don't push all the stereotypes we so easily watched during Singing in the Rain.
Rufus Wainwright: Good News, He's Back in the Land of the Living!
"Whatever happened to that guy who sang Cohen's Hallelujah in the movie Shrek and Across the Universe for I Am Sam?" you might ask, knowing those are the only huge claims to fame Rufus's, the brilliant bastard hybrid of the MacGarrigles and the Wainwrights, pop culture repertoire. Idiots... or maybe I'm just a hipster like that. But our favorite dramatic and theatrical man sits down with Stereogum for a Progress Report on Prima Donna, his opera which is premiering in February (WAAAAANNT!!) his daughter and boyfriend but most importantly his latest album "Out of the Game" but will it be as majestic as his last one where he put music to Shakespeare's Sonnets? Time will tell.
David Burtka does E! News
While the Mayor of Munchkin-Land otherwise known as Ryan Seacrest is in talks for taking Matt Lauer's place on "The Today Show," what about his E! gig on the channel's news program, aka. my horrible horrible addiction I cannot get rid of, the same program recruits Neil Patrick's husband and co-father to their twins David Burtka and last night was his first night.
Yes, he was a little shaky and slow in the voice as he announced Kris Humphries coming out of the divorce shadow to discuss his plans for the future, but there's always room for improvement, although his voice will be something to get used to as it is a closed off almost guttural sound. Until then, looks like this is going to be one busy family and it's always a perk to get another gay man on the staff next to "fashion insulter" Robby Lachlan.
Will try to hunt for a video clip of his work -- as well as Rainn Wilson's air-guitaring Christmas Eve by Trans-Siberian Orchestra last night on the Office.
Dani Stahl Keeps Getting Epic on my Face
Stahl is popping up everywhere, on E! on both Scouted AND another guilty pleasure Fashion Police last Friday, but now she's popping into the offices of my Zen: Essie Nail Polish where she mixes a color and even gets Essie to mix a special color that matches the Nylon's logo. WAAAAAANT!!!
Sophia Rossi gets FOAMy
As we all know, I get bored easily and need to change up my fixes -- as with magazines, my new found addictions to i-D Magazine and a growing fondness for West Coast's "Fashion, Ocean, Art and Music" FOAM magazine. FOAM seems to be like that girl in high school who managed to be a total jock-ette but still managed to have her hair look perfect and still manage to be incredibly girly in fashion and a total boy on a boogie board in the ocean. This, I like... this I heavily approve of.
So what could have really sparked my interest? Well, remember a little name of Sophia Rossi, hellogiggles co-owner and L.A. socialite in the least Paris Hilton sense of the word? Featured in their "The Gift Girls" segment she shows her enduring love for friend Charlotte Ronson's (which always gets a message on hellogiggles) lip gloss and other accessories. And I will answer Rossi's million dollar question: it used to be Mary Anne, now it's Stacey.
Raveonettes Get Freaky with Jack Skeleton Pillow
After ten years and enough in their catalog to make a B-sides and rarities album, well aptly named "B-Sides/Rarities," Sharin and Sune finally put out a video to their "The Christmas Song" ten years after its conception and it does not disappoint, in fact, I would love to have a Christmas party with them!
...And my Undying Love for Diablo Cody Continues...
Thank you BUST Magazine, for tweeting this interview between movies.com and Diablo Cody, for every so often I forget about her awesomeness. "I've learned that you absolutely cannot create anything without offending somebody." is apart of my quote canon, as Mrs. Maurio discusses new movie "Young Adult," what it means to just write about horrible horrible person yet manage to be funny about it at the same time, and her place in Hollywood. Have I mentioned I effing love her?
Every fall there is at least those top five products or clothes you cannot live without - because fall in the long run is the most fashionable season (to me it is anyway...) From makeup to accessories, here is my must list for fall....
Girly fashion boots
An ultimate fashion outfit generally involves leggings, a longer shirt with a jacket on top. As flats are what summer is made of (well for girls who don't have high arches or bunions like I do) boots is a huge fall must and a perfect segue into winter considering texture. Biker boots, a staple in my own closet fashion, is just a must for any season, they can be girlified or blends something together as more femininely androgynous. And the frilly boots? Boots with that length are best worn with a thigh or knee length ensemble, varying its length.
Dark Leggings
Leggings is always a staple for me in any season, but in the fall it seems more acceptable when you just don't have pin-straight leg jeans to wear boots with. So yes, that is my defense to jeggings (very left, texture washed out by the light a little) despite their bad wrap in pop culture. Black leggings always looks good both under skirts, dresses and shorts (for the confident), leggings seem to be at their best when moderately embellished, like the leggings on the very right with the gold buckles. Modesty is key with embellishment on leggings, please remember this ladies!!
Essie was clearly the oracle of nail polish trends this year and I was a mere follower that found myself going back to the dark nail polish as soon as I saw the word "fall" enter pop culture just a few weeks ago. Handbag inspired colors such as Essie's Power Clutch is a collision of green and gray, finally booting out all greige colors (Confetti's Moonstruck) as a natural hue for fall/winter 2011, but there's nothing wrong with keeping out of season colors, just in case. And as for a night-out colors, dark gem colors such as Confetti's Happy Birthday (which actually comes out in natural light as a purple with gold and blue sparkles), KleanColor's Neon Sapphire, and Confetti's Masquerade Ball (my absolute favorite glittery polish with the ability to change between a russett to bright red with gold glitter). If it looks like a shade of chocolate on your nails, skin tone in mind, it's definitely a must.
Black/Charcoal Eyeliner
If someone was to interview me the question "What makeup would you have to have with you on a desert island?" I would have to answer eyeliner. It emphasizes your eyelashes and enhances your eye color (makes mine look more hazel). Which is probably why Wet n Wild's charcoal eyeliner is perfect, if done one way it can look well pieced together but can also be thrown on with a rocknroll fashion edge with a cat-eye which is also very much in style for the fall.
Plaid Scarves
I generally hate plaid, but if its designed on an accessory and used with great colors, I'll wear it. For the past week I have been wearing the hell out of the second one because plaid fall colors are definitely a huge must for this fall, the occasional pop of color, like the pink or yellow, is needed later in the season when finally hitting the upcoming winter blah's.
Kinda like the v-spot but more demanding, this is your "almost-fall" guide for the week when things are starting to change before the leaves even turn orange.
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