Baby Shower and a Nephew

Happy March everyone!  I don't know about you all, but I am so ready for some warmer weather!  I had a short visit in Florida in February and it was such a nice change to see some actual sunshine.  Its amazing what some sunny skies does for your mood.  We really are deprived here in Michigan, where the sun takes a 3 month vacation.  Grrr.  All Florida ended up being was a tease...cause the plane landed in 19 degrees and snow.  But, spring is right around the corner and I have already started picking out my spring outfits.  I bought this green shirt from Macy's and I am in love with it.  I have already worn it three times...literally the day after I get it cleaned I wear it again.  I think I might need another one like this to add to the rotation.  (Side note...this is definitely a 'girl pretty' style shirt as opposed to a 'guy pretty' one.  Jon was not such a fan of the buttoned up to the neck look, but whatev.  I love it!)

I thought my soon to arrive nephew's baby shower was the perfect excuse to wear my new favorite shirt again.  Since it was a special occasion, I went with my cropped trousers instead of jeans.  But I wore it with black skinny jeans  and booties and it looked just as great!  And check out my new Zara leopard earrings!

Shirt - No longer available...similar style in sleeveless from Nordstrom

Trousers - From Gap, similar pair here, also Gap

Earrings -Sold out :-(  similar pair at Fantasy Jewelry Box

Busy Season and Sushi

Well...its busy season for the hubby again.  Sad face because that means many dinners spent with my DVR.  Last year we decided to add date nights on Friday or Saturday every week.  This way, we have a couple hours alone out to catch up on the week.  Its my favorite thing about busy season!  Jon surprised me this weekend with dinner at Shiro, a sushi restaurant we have been talking about going to for so long.  I tend to go on obsessions with food...like for 6 weeks I will want one specific thing.  But then I end up ruining that food for Jon because he gets sick of it.  I'm working on it!  Right now my obsession is sushi...I know I'm a little late to this party.  Poor Jon is so sick of sushi and it was so awesome that he surprised me with it!  Since he stepped up in the dinner choice, I stepped it up in the outfit.  A little v-neck and push-up bra for the husband :-)

Dress - Max Studio - Similar one from ASOS for $61.57
Blazer - Love.Ady - Similar one from Bluefly for $79.79, extra 30% off if you 'Like" them on Facebook.
Booties - BCBG - Tons of booties like these available on Piperlime

Anti-perspirant and Cancer

January is usually the time of year when everyone is making healthier choices, new years resolutions and all that. So I thought now is as good a time as any to share my thoughts on deodorant and antiperspirant. You all know by now that breast cancer hits really close to home for me, so anything I can do to prevent that, sign me up. My good friend Mark was the first to bring up the deodorant and aluminum conversation. First thoughts...uh you are nuts. But it really sunk in and struck how much sense he was making after all. Think about it...you put on deodorant everyday, right by your breast tissue. Have you ever checked out the ingredients on the label of your favorite brand? (i.e. Secret, Dove, Sure) Number one is always aluminum. So you are putting aluminum right into your body, daily.


Now admittedly, when Mark gives us health advice, we usually take him at his word cause we trust him. But I know you all probably think I am sounding nuts, so I pulled up some research for you to read. Dr. Mercola is a wellness expert who focuses on natural healing. He was voted the 2009 Ultimate Wellness Game Changer. His website, mercola.com, is the worlds #1 natural health website. He may seem extreme, but he really knows health. He posted an article on this very subject. Here are a few key points.


"Antiperspirants work by clogging, closing, or blocking the pores that release sweat under your arms -- with the active ingredient being aluminum. Not only does this block one of your body's routes for detoxification (releasing toxins via your underarm sweat), but it raises concerns about where these metals are going once you roll them (or spray them) on."


"Aluminum salts can account for 25 percent of the volume of some antiperspirants, and a review of the common sources of aluminum exposure for humans found that antiperspirant use can significantly increase the amount of aluminum absorbed by your body. According to the review, after a single underarm application of antiperspirant, about .012 percent of the aluminum may be absorbed. This may not sound like much until you multiply it by one or more times a day for a lifetime, which adds up to massive exposure to aluminum -- a poison that is not supposed to be in your body, and may be more toxic than mercury. Aluminum salts can mimic the hormone estrogen, and chemicals that imitate that hormone are known to increase breast cancer risk. Animal studies have also found that aluminum can cause cancer. Aside from vaccinations, your antiperspirant may be your largest source of exposure to this poisonous metal!"


Why is Aluminum Harmful to our Bodies?
Aluminum has been associated with a variety of health issues², including:

Seizures
Breast Cancer
Alzheimer's Disease
Bone Formation Disorder

Now, you may think this is all nonsense, and that is your right. But I am still going to put all the info out there for you to consider. IF you find this as compelling as I did, here is a great alternative. I tried the store bought natural deodorants, like Toms, and I felt so smelly everyday. Mark told me that it takes a couple weeks for your body to get used to the natural stuff. The 'Liquid Rock' by Kiss My Face is the best of the store bought brands. But the best solution of all is to make it yourself!


All you need is aluminum free baking soda and coconut oil. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 5 or 6 tablespoons of coconut oil. The softer the coconut oil, the easier it will be to mix. You can also add a few drops of scented oil if you want a more feminine scent. I store ours in a baby food jar because it seals tightly and travels well. Any glass container with a lid will work. 

 

Give it a try! Let me know what you think!

Christmas Dinner...a few weeks early

Ok so I know Christmas is over and we are all to 2013 already.  But I have been so excited to blog this outfit and just never found the time before Christmas break.  Because we spent the holiday in NY with my in-laws, Jon and I celebrated with Dad and Diane and my brother a couple weeks early.  I was so pumpoed to show off my newest addition to my shoe collection.  Only these shoes are my old pumps transformed into brand new cap toes!  Hope you are as impressed as I am proud.  This is also my debut of my new hair do...trying out the ombre trend for a bit although its a little hard to tell in this lighting.

My top here is actually two shirts put together.  I layered a sheer long sleeve black top under my peplum top.  I found this amazing peplum long sleeve at Nordstrom by Hinge.  Its gorgeous and comes in black or red and is $78.

I bought the pants a long time ago at Bebe...they don't really carry pants like that anymore.  I found a cute pair of grey trousers from Asos for only $21!  Really, any pants would work with this outfit, from dress trousers to skinny jeans.  I was having a dress up moment, but this would be great with jeans for an everyday look.  In fact, I may have to try that too!

And now for my shoes!  These were just plain black pointy toe pumps before.  But I have a couple pairs of black heels so I thought, why not try sometime crazy!  I read on another blog about painting the toes of your shoes for a cap toe effect.  The blogger had painted suede wedges so I wasn't sure about my leather heels.  I asked a sales lady at JoAnn Fabrics and she clearly thought I was nuts.  I'm sure she could tell that I did not belong in that store.  But I ignored her advice that you can't paint leather and bought the gold paint anyways. Well...it worked like a charm!  I just put a piece of scotch tape across the shoes and painted the toes up to the tape.  I think I did 3 layers and then added a layer of outdoor sealant, just in case rain or snow somehow has an effect on the paint.  They have lasted thru a walk in New York City so mission accomplished!

If you like the shoes but not the work, here is a finished product for sale. They are from Mia on Piperlime foor $69.  Pretty close huh?  :-)

Dinner Date with the Hubby

Happy New Year Everyone!!!  Can you all believe its already 2013!  Time really does fly by.  I don't know about you, but I am really excited for this year and all it can bring.  I don't make resolutions, but one of my goals for this year is to improve my blog.  So if you have any advice or critiques for me I would love to hear them.

And since its the new year, it also means busy season is back for my husband :-(  So I decided I would start the new year blogging off with the outfit I wore on our last date.  During busy season we make Friday our date nights because its usually been a week since we got to speak in person.  Its my favorite thing about busy season.  And since my husband hasn't seen me the whole week, I try to dress nice for him.  This outfit was based around the shoes!  I tried the drop waist trend by sitting the belt on my hips instead of my waist like usual.

I bought this dress a couple years ago for my birthday party.  Its always fun to find new uses for your dresses.  Last time I wore it in the spring, but its perfect for winter too.  All I did was add tights and a blazer.  This one from Piperlime is similar for $67.  Can be worn alone, with a belt, with or without tights. Endless possibilities!

My shoes Sam Edelman...I am still so in love with these!  They are the coolest heels I own!  They no longer available online, but this pair is similar and very cool for $190.

I also found a similar pair from Ami Clubwear for only $21.  They are all black, but have the spiked heel detail that mine have.

Target has some really fun tights right now.  If you dress up in the winter, its a great way to keep your legs warm.  You can't tell but mine in the picture are patterned.  Its subtle but adds some fun to your outfit.  They have all kind of patterns if you are daring enough!  I like these with the zigzags.

Happy New Year!!!  Here's to a stylish 2013!!!

Dinner with Friends

We went to a little holiday group dinner/party on Saturday night at Marci and Frankie's house.  There was 10 of us...Jon and I being the only non-neighbor dwelling friends :-)  We had two of these dinner parties last year and they are always a great time.  Tara is a great bartender and her martinis are the best!  This years was a Chocolate Covered Almond Martini...couldn't even taste the alcohol.  However, the White Chocolate Candy Cane Martini was ALL alcohol.  Delicious!  I bought a new leopard shirt on Piperlime awhile ago and I was dying to wear it.  This seemed like the perfect opportunity. I also tried something new with my curl.  I curled it after blow drying it straight...which I never do.  I usually just rock the natural curl and add to it a bit with a curling rod.  I saw an idea to try it from straight and curl under instead of over the rod.  Then I brushed it, which I also never do.  All in all I was happy with the look and will definitely try it again.  P.S.  What do you think of my new dark red lipstick?  I almost never wear lipstick but this one is super in right now.  (I wanted to wear my coat in one picture because it is the best coat I have ever owned!  Shout out to my boss and what a great job she did picking this out!)

The top is from Piperlime and its by Tinley Road and its on sale right now for only $24.99 with all sizes still available.  I wore it with skinny black pants, but you can wear it with anything from jeans to pencil skirts.  I am excited to pack it for Christmas break in NY.  

My pants are from the Gap but they are no longer available.  I found a similar pair at Express for $60.

My shoes are Jessica Simpson but they are no longer available either.  These Anne Klein heels from Zappos are very similar.  They are on sale right now for only $62.99.

My belt is from the Talbots Outlet Store and it was such a great find.  I wear it all the time, dressed up and down.  It is a tricky belt to find but this one by Style $ Co. from Macy's is very similar.  Its $21.98 and as a bonus its reversible.  Two belts in one!

My coat is from Bebe. It was my Christmas gift last year from the twins parents and I love it!  When you live in a climate like Michigan, you need great outerwear.  This one at Bebe is pretty similar for $198.


Merry Christmas Season everyone!!!

How to Dress Like a Star

Yes that's right ladies...here is my number one tip to dressing like a movie star!  I was reading an article online with some tips to becoming a fashion genius (like me!) and this one just stuck out to me...know your body!  How many times do we stare at ourselves in the mirror and pick apart all the different areas of our bodies?  So instead, look at yourself with the purpose of defining your type.  Pick out your favorite features and aim to show those off.  Then pick out the ones you aren't so fond of because there are tons of tricks to disguising those instead of worrying about them.  Next, find a celebrity who has the same body type as you.  They pay tons of money for a stylist to make sure they look perfect all the time.  Its a free and easy way to cheat into your own stylist.

Here are a few examples of my celebrity body doubles...haha.

I know that we all have different shapes so I went on to find some good examples for other types.  My first thought was when Laura kindly told me that not everyone is "a skinny bitch" like me.  So here is some examples of a curvy figure, with hips and boobs.  Really, a dream figure.  I immediately thought of Kim Kardashian.  Whether you lover her or hate her, she knows how to dress her body.  She accents her features...and she is proud of her curves!  Here she is in a great wrap dress.  Doesn't her waist look tiny?

And here she is more dressed down for everyday.  A great example how blazers work for everyone.  The length is great because it hits at her hips and helps elongate her midsection, making her look taller and leaner.  And when you have a great butt, make sure your jeans fit to show it off!  Kim knows that better than anyone.  Flared and bootcut jeans are great for this body type...see how they slim down Jessica's upper half.

Another body type that can be hard to dress is tall.  My friend Sue is always talking about how hard it can be!  When I think of tall and lean, I think super model (which is what I think when I think of Sue!).  So I used my favorite super model Rosie Huntington-Whitely.  She is great at playing with proportions.  And how hot are these leather leggings!  I have been dying to try a pair but I think they are meant for long and lean women only.  One trick of hers that I noticed in all her pictures online, skinny pants regardless of the material.  That way you can wear heels or flats and not worry about the length.

On the opposite side of tall, is petite.  That body type can be tricky because you are always trying to look taller!  Here are a few celebs who nailed that.  Eva Longoria is only 5'2" but you wouldn't know it looking at this picture.  The monochromatic black look here is very elongating.  The platform heels don't hurt either!  Again, notice how a blazer flatters everyone!

I love Nicole Richie's style right now.  She has boho chic down to a science.  I loved this look on her because, again, she doesn't look short at all.  The hem on the dress is shorter in the front, which can be tricky. But its above her knee and not too dramatic of a difference in length so that keeps from chopping off her legs.  The other key is how her jacket hits at her natural waist.  Also, notice the platforms again!

I apologize if I missed your body type!  I tried to cover most of the bases.  If you prefer a celeb with a different style, try picking up a People Style Watch magazine and browsing through it.  They always have great outfit ideas for all different body types and occasions.  Hope this helps jump start you into some new ideas for styling!