Protection

I was running a little late to class yesterday. In one hand I had my notebook, and in the other was a delicious honey mustard ham and cheese sandwich. I was walking briskly while trying to sneak in bites of my sandwich, and I spilled honey mustard on my coat, pants, and shoes. I was cool about it, as clothes can just be washed...but then I realized I was wearing velvet shoes. Anything velvet is incredibly hard to take care of and maintain. I tried rubbing the stains out, but that only made them worse and damaged the nap of the velvet. I went to the cobbler and he said he could not do anything about my shoes, but he handed me a care product to protect against any future clumsiness. I did a quick google search and the reviews were decent so I decided to try it out. Hoping this stuff is stronger than Scotchgard...

Kiwi All-Protector

The intoxicating smell of chemicals

If you are looking for a product to protect your leather bags, I would advise against using Kiwi. I have heard some horror stories about bags getting darkened from Kiwi. Use Collonil instead! I use it on all my bags.

Collonil Leather Gel

Out...and Soon to be In

In line with my socks resolution, I have thrown away my old sneakers that cannot be saved and ordered new ones that I will not ruin with smelly foot sweat. Because socks.

The sneakers smell worse than the trash 

Nike 'Free 3.0 v5'

Year of the Horse

Also known as the year I learn how to wear socks.

Vesting

So I definitely slept in this outfit when I fell asleep last night and therefore didn't have to change in the morning. Not ashamed...with the couple minutes saved, I was able to make breakfast for the first time in weeks! Mmm scrambled eggs and cottage cheese.

Barbour 'Cavalry' Vest / / J. Crew Merino Sweater / / Adriano Goldschmied 'Stilt' Jeans / / Converse

...and yes, I shall clean my room this afternoon.

Napping in the Common Room

Let's Go Scuba Diving

Love these. The neoprene scuba trend is showing up in a lot of places, but most styles are way too daring for me to pull off. These pants are perfect--they keep you surprisingly warm and even make a great work pant! They can be worn casually as well as dressed up. Taking care of them is extremely easy, all you have to do is rub with water. I'm consistently a size 26, but I sized up in these to a 27. I think a 26 would have been better, but at least these don't stretch out after a couple of wears. If you are looking to purchase, I would go true to size. 

J Brand Scuba Pant

Only Because it's Freezing Cold

I'm not a big accessory person...scarves, jewelry, hats, watches are things I never wear. However, desperate times call for desperate measures and I had to pull out a scarf today due to the brutally cold weather. Although I don't get much use of this as a scarf, I do carry it with me on planes. It's great to keep you warm by wrapping around your shoulders. 

Burberry Check Merino Wool Scarf

Charlotte Olympia Kitty Flats

If you haven't checked out Forward by Elyse Walker, click the link, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and get ready to spend hours browsing all the pretty, edgy things you'll find. Next, download their app--it's the best designed mobile eCommerce app I've used.

For this purchase, I used the promotion code 'iforward15' to save 15%. I just checked, and I don't think it's valid anymore. However, they have a new code 'tulip' which allows you to save 10% which adds up to a lot of money. If you were to buy a PS1 from Forward, you would be saving $170, and that's not even including the tax you'd be paying if you purchased it somewhere else. That's the other great part. You only have to pay tax if you reside in California. Forward carries many classic pieces that never go on sale, so you really are getting the best price if you take into account the discount code and not having to pay tax.

I took my true size 7.5 in these, but a 7 would have fit better. Size down!

Charlotte Olympia 'Kitty' Flats

I was able to get these for $505 (they would be $645 if I purchased them from Nordstrom's in Nashville). These shoes are so far from my taste, but they still manage to make me smile every time I look down at my feet. Depending on your workplace culture *do not wear these if you are an investment banker*, I think these would be great to rock in the office. 

Overall thoughts about Charlotte Olympia...how is the brand getting away with charging so much for their items?! I certainly wouldn't define their line as classic; it's more of a fun quirky style. Sort of like a grown up Kate Spade with more fun designs. 

Gummy Bear Clutch

$1645?! I could buy 1500 bags of real gummy bears for that price!

Yes, Charlotte Olympia makes me smile and think "ah, how clever and fun" but I don't think I'll be purchasing anything else from her line. It's just not worth sinking so much money in pieces that I don't see as classic and timeless. I would not be able to get enough use out of them. Also frustrating...

After 20 minutes of walking, this happened :(

Favorite

I use mine everyday.

Clarisonic Aria

They make great gifts for men as well as women. Bought a Mia2 for A and my cousin during the holidays, and they are now daily Clarisonic-ers! Love love love...nothing bad to say about the Clarisonic.

Lunchtime

 

         

Frosting Shot

She wants that old thing back...

Do the Do

I'm awful at styling hair, so I just let it air dry and run its natural course. In high school, I would spend so much time on my hair (dyeing hair, blow drying, heating tools, products on products) and to be honest, it didn't damage my hair that much. I don't know if its because I'm too lazy now or if its because I'd rather spend my time elsewhere, but I think using few products and no heat on hair is the way to go. But I do envy the girls out there who are masters at styling their own hair! Much respect.

I shower at night and am definitely guilty of sleeping with my hair semi-wet sometimes. I find that washing hair right before you go out makes it too fluffy looking. I have been using the same exact products for the past 4 years. This is exactly what I use step by step:

In the shower

                   

      Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Shampoo                Frederic Fekkai Shea Butter Conditioner

Out the shower (use on wet hair)

             

           Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme                    Bumble and Bumble Styling Lotion

Brush hair back with wide tooth comb (it will fall at your natural part as it air dries)

Conair Hair Pics

In the morning

        

                Sally Hershberger Shagg Spray                    Bumble and Bumble Sumowax

The morning products are only used if I somehow manage to wake up earlier than 10 minutes of my first class. Shagg spray is fantastic, it really gives hair a piece-y look that defines layers. I use 2 sprays. Sumowax is great for a non-stiff hold on flyaways or for side bangs to stay in place.

I first discovered Bumble and Bumble back in high school, and have stuck with their products since. Their Sunday Shampoo is a shampoo you use once a week that deep cleans all the residue, hard water minerals, and pollutants out your hair. Brilliantine is a hair polish that gives your hair a piece-y, slept-in kind of look. If you're looking for a high quality hair products that do what they promise, Bumble and Bumble is the place to look.

White Jeans

Apart from being quite easy to get dirty, white jeans also make me look like I ate 500 Krabby Patties and they all went straight to my hips and thighs. 

J. Crew Merino Sweater / / J Brand 'Tali' Zip / / Manolo Blahnik 'BB' 

I have short legs. Really short. How short, you ask? The jeans above are supposed to be cropped ankle jeans and they are still too long. For all my jeans, I have to get them hemmed to fit my inseam of 26". However, these have zippers on the ankles which would make hemming a nightmare, so I will just leave them as is. Does anyone else have the problem where some jeans bunch up and form creases across the back of your thighs and knees? I think it's so unflattering but I don't think it's a sizing issue. 

If I ever reproduce, I will make sure to choose a guy with tall skinny legs so our child will not have to suffer from short stubby legs. But then again, I do like dangling my legs when I sit down in a chair...so maybe it's not too bad.

Missed Chance: Helmut Lang Top

Not really a missed chance, it's just that I can't justify paying $335 for a top when the same exact one (except no leather trim) is on sale online for $167.50. Not to mention, I much prefer the version without the leather. As with most sale items I love, I cannot find my size anywhere! The blouse is made from a wool crepe material and it drapes beautifully. I'm normally a size S in Helmut Lang, but I found that size P fit better. If you are in between sizes, you should size down for this style.

Helmut Lang 'Morse Drape Front' Top

Does anyone know of any good brands that carry a white somewhat low-cut drape front top? I've been searching for one for a while, and I love the one worn by this unknown person below.

Kim Kierkegaardashian is that you?

Funeral?

No, even more unfortunate and painful...senior seminar presentations.

Kate Spade 'Benedicta' Dress / / Salvatore Ferragamo 'Vara' Pumps

Freezing

Loving him is like...

Prunes

Dat Ass

White

When I was 11, my best friend and I would examine how many teeth each person showed when they smiled. We made the executive decision that to have a beautiful smile, one must have at least 10 teeth showing. Unfortunately, I was stuck at 8, and I spent the summer manipulating my smile so I would show more teeth. This led to a rather painful looking grimace that is present in all my photos from Summer 2004. I soon learned that a genuine smile is a million times more beautiful than a forced one, no matter how many teeth you're showing! 

Although I can't change the number of teeth, I do have control over the whiteness of my smile. Crest Whitestrips has been my buddy for 3 years, and not only is it cheaper than professional whitening, it is just as effective--if not more.

Examine the creepy cropped photos of my teeth below, and you can see Crest Whitestrips really work! 

Thank you Crest Whitestrips

I order from Amazon and use this exact box: Crest Whitestrips Supreme Professional Strength. If you are a first timer, you will see VERY noticeable differences in shade by day 5. I use them on and off, mostly because of laziness. I've found that after around 12 days of no use, teeth start to look a little less white (especially if you drink a lot of Coke or coffee). When I bought my first pack, I used one pair of strips a day for 20 days. I was extremely satisfied with the results and stopped using them for a couple months. My teeth returned to a not so brilliant color, and I figured I would start back on the strips. I used them 5 days in a row, and my teeth were back to sparkling white.

To maintain, I find it most effective if you use a pair of strips at least once every week and a half. Not a huge difference if you go longer, but if you notice your teeth getting yellow it's a good idea to use again. I don't think it's necessary to constantly use them, especially if you are satisfied with your shade. Overuse isn't good for your enamel in the long run, so you definitely don't want to overdo it.

And just for fun.....

Count the teeth: 12! Holy moly, Julia Roberts you win

Currently

Smooth

                                       

Sexy Legs

                                      

PSYCH!! 

Winter eczema...what's a girl to do :(

Currently Coveting

YSL 'Jane' Sandal 

 Gianvito Rossi Leather & Plexy Pumps

Alexander Wang 'Kori' Boots

Jimmy Choo 'Cosmic' Pumps

A new pair of Minion slippers...I wore a hole in the heels of mine :(

I have short, stubby legs so I try to avoid any shoes that have an ankle strap as well as ankle boots. However, the interesting cutout heel on the AW bootie is to die for and the minimalist, simple look of the YSL sandal is incredibly sexy. Can't lie...out of all these shoes, I would probably spend most of my time in the plushy minion slippers!