Spring/Summer Bags

The flowers are blooming, April showers are bringing May flowers, the birds are buzzing, and I am itching for a new bag. Usually around this time I find a bag that has caught my eye, but this year nothing seems to be fitting. I usually go for a cute, bright, colorful canvas bag but since I am getting older and I need the bag to reflect my changing style. I went to all my bag spots, but still found nothing or something way to expensive that I could not afford. Today I was browsing/taking pics for the paper at this really cute boutique gift shop called Eclections. She has such an amazing selection of different purse. at really not bad prices. She was telling me about the new prices out this season for my article and this large, bright bag caught my eye. It's a green, brown, and gold metallic bag with a nylon inside. I loved that the inside could take some wear and tear and the outside was so cool and had this embossed snake look that I continued to carry it around the store with me while taking pics for the paper and finally asked her to put it on hold for me.

If a canvas bag is too plain for you, and the bright bags are well too bright than go for the metallic bag. It really adds a different look to the traidtional spring bags of canvas and straw. It's a really hot material/color that really standout in the spring and summer.

Travel Fashion

Traveling can be a stressfull ordeal. The possible delays and the stress of missing your plane. The amount of junk food that stares you down. The evil security lines and your limited liquids in that annoying plasitc bag. Laguardia Airport.

To make the trip a tad bit easier you want to dress and pack your carry ons as efficienly as possible. There are so many stylish and also ridicoulsy dressed woman at the airport. I litterally want to scream at the woman wearing 4 inch heels! I did see a few girls in the airport who just looked so effortly gorgeous as I stared them down with envy I planned my next travel outfit. Forget the jeans I am wearing a dress. Your jeans tend to stretch through out the day making you feel fat and semi ugly and well when you are meeting a gorgeous guy at the airport theese are the last two feelings you want.

A jersey dress is the perfect answer. It has enough stretch and room to make it casual, but with an added sex appeal. Add some leggings to avoid mishaps, a jean jacket, a pair of cute flats, and a spring scarf you will be the envy of those patiently waiting for their plane.

Carrying my bags last time was a hassle because like the overpacker I am I had 3 bags. This time even though my travel time is shorter I am sticking to two bags; my purse and faux longchamp bag.

Travel is just another reason to buy a new outfit and use the bags you buy just because even though you have like 20 at home already.

Cute Carry Ons

Last October I faced a dilemma. I was traveling to Florida for the weekend, but could not check my bags. This falls under the category of dilemma because I am a chronic over packer. I literally pack for every scenario possible.
I was forced to go on the hunt for a cute, carry on, that was large enough to fit all my stuff. Many of the bags I found were either too expensive or too small. Than I was reminded of the ever glorious Amazon. You can literally find anything on that website. I typed in weekender and found a wonderful company called Olive n Figs. Its made of an extremely durable fabric that can with stand the bumps and throws of travel and even better 5% of the proceeds go to Street to School" Project. This projects helps with students education in Calcutta India. Seriously this durable, large bag that supports a worthy cause cost me only $30!

Project Runway

Now if you love all things fashion than you must worship Project Runway. The cat fights, the insane challenges, the talent, the ridiculous vote offs, and of course Heidi. Half the reason I tune in is to just see what she wears. I must say that despite the harsh rumors flying around the internet saying that nobody showed up at season 4 auditions, and that there was no talent this batch of designers were honestly the best by far!!! They were a fun loving, diverse group of designers who made us laugh and caused our jaws to drop at the stupendous outfits they created. My favorite by far was Jillian Lewis. Her style alone was so innovative that you knew her clothes were going to be even more spectacular. If i was a millionaire I would seriously commission her to create beautiful clothes for me.

Even though Jillian did not win and "fierce" Christian did she is still a winner in my book.

On a side note did you notice Jaslene from ANTM was on that runway and they say these former ANTMers don't work.

Makeup

Makeup. A girls best friend. A chance to express your daily mood or artistic genius. Sephora is our Heaven.

There is absolutely no reason to be scared of makeup. It enhances our best features and hides our worst. Experimentation is key. Spend some quality face time in the mirror. My first foray into makeup started with my moms 80's wild makeup and from trial and error and the willingness to go out of my color box I fell in love with all things makeup.

The key to quality makeup is moisture and exfoliation. The easiest way to ruin your makeup is dry skin.

Next step is to understand your color palette. (Take notice of your eye and hair color here). Woman with blue eyes should stick to the warm tones of navy, smoky gray, chocolate, apricot, and copper. The colder tones can at times be to harsh for your hair, eye, skin, color combination.
Green eyes stick from the color range between mauve and plum. Red-based hues will add some spark to your eyes. Grey eyes are one of the easier to work worth; because of their neutral color you can trick your eyes to appear different colors. Gray's and coppers will create a blue eyed beauty affect. Lavender and aquamarine will give you a green eyed goddess look. Brown and Hazel eyes have the ability to experiment with just about any colors, but warm tones such as plum, purple, and green-bronze color will bring out your inner fierceness. Black eyes again has the ability to experiment, but stay away from pearly, light colors. Dark blue, gray, brown, and nude tones will give you even more mystery.

Lips. I know we are not all blessed with Angelina Jolie lips, but thankfully we have the knowledge to fake it.
Two great beauty tricks I know have to do with lips. One; do your lips before you start your makeup. This will give you a finished look and help you not to go overboard on your makeup. Two; put on lip balm before you apply your lipstick or gloss. The balm will help you apply your gloss or stick easier and helps it stay a bit better. Gloss is my number one choice by far. I have a very large makeup bag that is full of all the glosses of the rainbow. Lipstick; to me, can seem to formal. A bit of gloss adds shine and a bit of freshness to your whole look.
Luckily lip plumper's are no longer limited to expensive products found in specialty stores. Go to the drug store today and just about every brand now has there own lip plumper.

Makeup is just another reason to enjoy being a girl. So remember less is always more, step outside your color box, experiment, experiment, experiment, and the cheap places are the best places to find color trend of the moment.

Prints and Patterns

As I lazily gaze out my window I see snow continuously piling up and as I stare at my closet a long teal, yellow, and blue print dress that I purchased at the beginning of the winter for three dollars is calling my name.
As I flip through my fashion magazines I notice a new trend; long, print, dresses. My anticipation to float through a summer day in the dress increases.
Many of us at the moment are feeling the pull to summer. The winter blues are taking over and spring and summer seem to be nowhere insight.
A trend this season again is bright bold exotic prints and patterns. This trend can be found in bags dresses, and spring scarves.
The dresses these upcoming seasons are flowy and long. The beauty of a long dress is the ability to alter it. If you love the pattern, but do not want to be taken over by it you can hem it to about mid calve or to your knees. The excess fabric could be used for a headscarf or printed bag.
Another place to find the bright bold trend is in the spring scarf. Long, light, fabric that can be twisted around your neck is what you are looking for. If you cannot find the pattern you desire or the price you desire try going to a fabric store. They carry all the current patterns and colors and you can make your own one of a kind spring scarf.
Chunky accessories are what we need to pair with our flowy dresses. Large wooden bangles, wooden rings, chunky bright colored necklaces, and chunky metallic platforms are what are hot. If platforms are not your style try a metallic sandal. Grecian inspired wrap sandals are what are hot this season.
An over sized woven clutch or woven shoulder bag will neutralize the outfit and also bring in the safari trend.

Rainboots

Rain boots to many are a thing of the past. We all had them as little kids. We remember jumping around in big puddles of mud with our red, yellow, or green rain boots with funny faces on them. Rain boots no longer just for kids and fisherman.
Rain boots are a great alternative to our winter boots. Unlike our winter the slush and the salt will not stain our boots.
Rain boots come in many different shapes and styles. Target came out with a wedge rain boot this season. Rain boots with umbrellas, whales, skulls, monkeys, polka dots, swirls, and flowers.
They come in so many bright and wonderful colorful patterns you will not want to hide them under your pants. I suggest a skinny jean since rain boots are not as pliable as our winter boots and therefore harder to tuck jeans into.
The price of rain boots range from about $50-$15.

Let us no longer fear the puddles, slush, and mud. We should embrace our childhood and gleefully jump in puddles with our new rain boots.