In the Spirit of Spring...

Okay, it may only look/feel like Spring in Portland, like, 60% of the time right now...but a girl can dream! And you know what they say, "April showers bring May flowers"! Hoping that sunshine comes early though...as in next weekend...so I can host my birthday outside on the rooftop bar instead of around a crowded restaurant table.

Anyway, here's what's inspiring me for this new season:

My color of the moment is definitely white. It could be my recent discovery of Portland's Organic Bronze Bar and newly tanned skin that looks pretty amaze in the hue...but in my eyes, you just can't ever go wrong with white. Or black.

But for Spring, I'm loving the fresh, bright whites and crispy, clean pieces to update the feel of a wardrobe. Plus, something about white just screams modern day Jackie O and who can complain about that?

Maybe it's my new job at Free People, but right now I'm totally in to the idea of "festival dressing" even though I never find the time to actually make it to a festival...

The whole Boho Chic-Beachy Glam-Nicole Richie-esque style is perfect for this warmer weather we're having...or will be having...soonish.

Home sweet home, refreshed! What's better than a little interior facelift after that crazy Spring Cleaning sesh?

Update your dwelling place with a shot of color on the walls or in new linens. Fresh flowers, patterned pillows and simple, updated accessories are just what the doctor ordered to bring your home into the spirit of the season.

Enough inspiration...let's go shopping.

xx.

Holy Hot Weather, Batman.

Maybe it's the fact that I've been stuck in typical rainy Portland weather for the past 6ish months but this weekend's heat wave felt worse than usual. I mean, we're talking make-your-spray-tan-run hot! Not cool (pun possibly intended).

Anywho, in the midst of all the excitement over sunshine as if it never existed before, we celebrated Easter with a plethora of familial events. Always a joy. 

In honor of the weather, I pulled out one of my favorite Free People maxis and some of my tallest heels. And in true #giraffeproblems fashion, I attracted the usual "holy crap" looks and whispers from total strangers in church. My favorite, though, was from a little girl in the grocery store who stopped mid-aisle to gawk at my height as she yelled out "Wow, mommy, she is tallllll." I guess at 5'10" sans wedges, I kind of asked for it when I slipped on those 4 1/2 inch stilts. 

This dress was a total steal at a TJ Maxx in the valley during last year's stint in LA and actually came discounted even further due to a missing slip. Naturally, I couldn't resist the crazy deal so I took it anyway in hopes of finding a new slip. Luckily, I found the perfect color to match the springy floral pattern at Free People Portland this Saturday so the dress could finally come out to play.

Later in the day, I zhuzh'd it down a bit with a cropped denim jacket, a double wrap belt, and some cute buckled flip flops. Perfect for family gathering numero dos.

So excited for the weather to start turning, just wish my airbrush tan felt the same way! PS if you're looking for an awesome shot of color in the coming weeks check out Organic Bronze Bar on the Portland waterfront to get your Kardashian on. I tried them out on Friday and the color is awesome, seems to stay a bit better than the typical Mystic or Versa tan (minus a little run in the boob area from yesterday), and the colorist makes sure to get you bronzed in all those little places the booth can't reach. Added bonus - no "Ross" moments, just even color on all sides!

Happy Spring, people!

What I'm Wearing: Maxi Dress, Free People (old, similar here); Slip in "Berry", Free People; Split Heel Wedges (similar here); Denim Crop Jacket, H&M; Wrap Belt (from a Target dress, similar here); Pyramid Bangle, Forever 21 (similar here), Watch, B.P. ; Flip Flops, Aldo (Nordstrom Rack, similar here)

Photo by my lovely sister (myspace-esque shots by yours truly)

DIY Friday: Turn a Black & White Photo to Color!

I'm always getting asked how to do fun things with Photoshop, so here's a quick tutorial on how to create your own color images from awesome black and white ones. For example, if you want to take your wedding photo and turn the roses red, while everything else stays in greyscale...voila!

Super easy (:

Have Fun! XX.

Red Lips Done Right

Okay people. If you're going to wear a bold lip, please execute it correctly! How so you might ask? It's simple: invest in an angled brush! I have one from M.A.C. - which is also crucial for filling in my eyebrows (after washing the lipstick off of course) - but you can find inexpensive ones at drug stores. Bonus: your favorite red lipstick will more than likely last longer if you apply it with a brush. Oh and you won't look like BoBo The Clown with red smudges all over the side of your mouth from mistakes (:

1. Moisturize! A light, colorless lip balm will prime your lips for the color and make it easier to apply.

2. Take your brush and make a few swipes over your lipstick.

3. Just as you would draw on your eyeliner, just trace the outline of your lips to create the look of a thick lip liner. Kindergarten flashback: stay INSIDE the lines (:

4. Continue filling your lips with small brush strokes until you have a pout full of fabulous color.

5. If you'd like, you can add a clear gloss for some shine. This helps your color really stand out!

No more clown lips ladies (:

Have fun! XX.

Color I used: Russian Red from M.A.C. (here)

Brush I used: M.A.C. #266 (here)

Pastels, Baby.

As previously noted, pastels are coming on strong this Spring. I'm so excited to ditch that 80's neon nonsense and transition to a more fresh, girly, playful look. As I've always said, Spring and Fall are the two times each year that we get to completely makeover our style. No longer just for innocent children or new baby nurseries, pastels should definitely be present in your new wardrobe. Simple as that.

Stay tuned for some updates on where to find some pieces for your closet. XX.

Louis Vuitton

Prada

Preen

Valentino

Pantone's Color of the Year: 17-1463 Tangerine Tango

Dance into the New Year with this vivacious and appealing reddish orange
CARLSTADT, N.J., Dec. 8, 2011 – Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT), and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced PANTONE® 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a vivacious, enticing hue, as the color of the year for 2012.
The 2011 color of the year, PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle, encouraged us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.
“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

source: pantone.com press releases

I could go on and on and on about my excitement over this lovely color but, as I've said before, it just looks good on everyone - and everything.

With that said, here's some inspiration for you. XX.

Cheers to a New Year of Color in 2012

Finally - a new year! As fast as 2011 flew by, it also seemed as if 2012 would never come. Aside from the ridiculous "world-ending" drama swirling around with the rest of the new year buzz, this January brings hope for yet another season of to die for fashion. As per usual, there are some new colors to add to your wardrobe - or pull out of boxes from years past. XX

Grandma's Kitchen. Brassy golds, dull greens and ashy browns have an earthy 70's quality that's easy to love.

Damir Doma spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Thakoon Addition pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Thakoon Addition; Balenciaga spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Jenni Kayne pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Jenni Kayne.

Neutrals, Neutrals, Neutrals. I personally can't get enough of this. Probably because most everything I own is a sister, brother, or cousin to the ever-beautiful neutral family. Layering grays, browns, and soft nudes creates awesome, easy to wear texture.

Anne Valerie Hash spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; TSE pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of TSE; Burberry pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Burberry; Thakoon pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Thakoon.

Pastels, Baby. Girly and fresh, these feel good hues will definitely give your eyes a break from the neon trend of the Fall. Lighten up your outfit in a different way this Spring - with a softer, feminine palette.

3.1 Phillip Lim spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Rachel Roy pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Rachel Roy; St. John pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of St. John; Reed Krakoff pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Reed Krakoff.

Geo-Graphical. Blackest black and stark white, bold geometrics, and splashes of color will add stunning interest to your closet in the upcoming season. A slight ode to the color blocking trend, think big with stripes and graphic patterns.

DKNY pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of DKNY; Ports 1961 pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Ports 1961; Chanel pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Chanel; Zero + Maria Cornejo pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Zero + Maria Cornejo.

Mean Tangerine. Well, maybe not so mean. This shade of orange looks great on nearly everyone and is definitely thee color to covet in 2012. It's sunny, bright, and trendy. Wear just a pop, or devote an entire outfit to this perfect-for-all-seasons hue.

Chloe spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Jason Wu pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Jason Wu; Cacharel spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Thakoon Addition pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Thakoon Addition.

Fall/Winter 2011 Collection: OPI Nail Lacquer

"OPI takes to the American road with a palette of shades that

brings a new spirt of classic style to life."

The "Touring America Collection" by OPI showcases a fun group of shades relevant to different cities across the country. From Hollywood to New York, the collection has a shade that's right for you, wherever you are. Pinks and corals, multiple mauves, and a few stunning versions of the ever popular taupe make up the newest group from the color geniuses at OPI.

Personally, I love LOVE all the grays in the collection. Right now, I'm wearing a lighter, milky, grey shade from a previous season but I can't wait to get my hands on "A-taupe the Space Needle" or "Get in the Expresso Lane". They both have that yummy slate quality that can go either brown or grey. It just simply goes with everything!

Here's a good look at the entire Fall/Winter 2011 Collection! XX

"Are We There Yet?" - Milwaukee, WI


"A-taupe the Space Needle" - Seattle, WA


"Color to Diner For" - Tucson, AZ


"French Quarter for Your Thoughts" - New Orleans, LA


"Get in the Expresso Lane" - Clarksdale, MS


"Honk if You Love OPI" - Baltimore, MD


"I Brake for Manicures" - Memphis, TN


"I Eat Mainly Lobster" - Philadelphia, PA


"My Address is Hollywood" - Hollywood, CA


"Road House Blues" - Jackson Hole, WY


"Suzi Takes the Wheel" - St. Louis, MO


"Uh Oh Roll Down the Window" - New York, NY


photos courtesy of beautyjunkiesunite.com