Maxi Dresses

Since I'm petite, I tend to avoid wearing maxi dresses, but these dresses from Topshop make me want to reconsider. If The Great Gatsby was set in 2010, Daisy would be sure to have a closet full of these fabulous maxi dresses.

Embroidered Mesh Maxi Dress

Embroidered Tulle Dress

Beaded Godet Maxi Dress

Things i LOVE Thursday

Making homemade cinnamon rolls

Butterfly Waterfall Necklace and Earring Set

Jane Austen's Fight Club

(omg, why didn't I think of this?)

Reading Never Let Me Go

by Kazuo Ishiguro

(see the movie trailer here)

Lomography Spinner 360

(this would be so awesome to use)

Darth Vader antique plate

(ah! why are they sold out? please make more!)

A brilliant green manicure thanks to

Sally Hansen HD Nail Color

Watching the Food Network

Scented bubbles

Supernova Mini Drawstring bag

The Balm Overshadow

When it comes to makeup, I can never have enough eyeshadow. Eyeshadow can completely change your look with just a few swipes of your brush. For a couple of years now, I have been a fan of the Balm's Overshadow. Designed to take your day look into night, these shimmering, loose powders are applied over another eyeshadow and make your eyes smolder. My personal favorite is If You're Rich, I'm Single, which is a dusty bronze color although the official description is "shimmering mauve pewter". The collection is made from 100% pure mineral pigments and is worth adding to your makeup arsenal.

A Song About Fashion Bloggers

Here's a little something to make you lol today.

Murder at Longbourn

To start off my reading for Stephanie's Written Word Everything Austen II challenge, I picked up Murder at Loungbourn by Tracy Kiely, and I have to say that this book was a lot of fun. Elizabeth Park attends her Aunt Winnie's New Year's Eve murder mystery party at her aunt's new B&B, The Inn at Loungbourn. When the town bully is shot and killed, it is up to Elizabeth to solve the murder before Aunt Winnie is thrown in jail. This book was a quick read. Every time the plot verged into the predictable a twist was there to pull me back into story.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Working on set

The crowd that gathered to watch filming

Reading Murder at Longbourn
by Tracy Kiely

Going to see Inception

Participating in the 31 Days to a Better Blog challenge

Shopping spree at Ulta

Baking cupcakes because they make me happy
and taste sooo good

A Good Trench is Hard to Find

I have always wanted to own a trench coat. It screams cinema sophistication. When I think about a trench coat, images of Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's immediately fill my mind. While a Burberry trench is my dream, this baby blue Mister Magic Coat from French Connection seems like a fabulous substitute. Now, if only I could find it in my size...

Inception

I cannot recommend this movie enough. It blew my mind... and that was just the first 15 minutes.

Links a la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

COUTURE TODAY: AN EXPLORATION

Edited by: Ann Colville Somma of Holier than Now

Couture: clothes painstakingly custom-made from the finest materials; alternatively, something Juicy – or even Filthy. It’s hard not to chafe at the degradation of the term, which is technically reserved for members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture (houses that create made-to-order pieces for private clients, amongst other criteria). Looking at creations recently sent down the runways, it’s sad to think artisanal techniques like hand beading may not survive in a world of rhinestoned terry sweatsuits.

But in fact, the handmade movement is ever gaining steam with the support of many bloggers. “Couture” may be associated with impossibly high prices, but in your own hands it’s an affordable way to obtain one-of-a-kind style. This week, review Couture Week round ups from The Well-Appointed Catwalk, La Chanelfile and more – then become your own private client, with tips from Fashion Butter, The Fashion Planner, and Twitch Vintage.

LINKS À LA MODE: JULY 15TH

• Blackdog Finds: A complete thrifted outfit for under $10
• Consumerism Killed My Soul: Color (and lack thereof) on the Valentino runway
• Dedicated Follower of Fashion: The future of fashion is here
• Dramatis Personae: TsuruBride’s amazing handmade animal clutches
• Eco-Fashionista: Re-fabbing a vintage Mugler find
• Fashion Butter: The cheater’s way to sew a new dress
• grechen blogs: fashion blogger bashing is everyone’s favorite sport lately…why do fashion bloggers make such easy targets?
• Handmade and Fabulous: A handmade label’s take on summer trends
• Holier than Now: Fans of Couture Week (wink)
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Why Fashion Bloggers Should Invest in Problogger
• La Chanelfile: Astrology and Haute Couture
• MoMo Mod: Modest Beauty: Meet Miriam
• Stylish Distractions: 6 great reads for aspiring fashionistas
• Stylish Thought: Great tips for channeling your masculine side
• Sugar and Spice: Building a capsule wardrobe
• Sweet Fancy Treat: Wardrobe inspiration from Florence + The Machine
• The Fashion Planner: Rhinestone bracelet D.I.Y.
• The Very Subjective: The Couture Thing: fashion critics vs. couture
• The Well-Appointed Catwalk: Highlights from Couture Week
• Twitch Vintage: Can you turn a bridesmaid dress into something chic?

Things i LOVE Thursday

Watching The Illusionist

Reading The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

by Kelly O'Connor McNees

Baking s'more cookies

The Sketchbook Project

(Sounds like such a fun idea)

''Fathoms Below'' The Little Mermaid Giclée

(Love The Little Mermaid!)

Personalized calling cards

Camille Pleated Ruffle Dress

Silk wrap bracelets

(I'm thinking this would be a fun DIY project)

Amazing water photography

Cleanse the energy in your wallet

(Good tips for organizing your wallet)

Milani Cosmetics: Runway Eyes

Being a MAC lover, I sometimes feel guilty trying other makeup brands, especially when it comes to eyeshadow. However, I am not one to let guilt get in the way of trying new things, so I'll pickup the occasional product at the drugstore. For a few years now, I have been a fan of Milani Cosmetics Runway Eyes Shadows, which offers a beautiful array of colors. Beach Sand, a shimmering gold, is my constant go-to shadow for bigger, brighter eyes. What I love about these shadows is not only their price tag ($5.99) but that they, also, look amazing whether they are applied wet or dry.

Have you discovered any great beauty finds at the drugstore?

DIY: Tie One On

While looking for inspiration for a DIY idea, I came across some ribbon and rhinestone trim and decided it was time to tackle the ribbon jewelry trend (see Jessica Simpson's Ribbon Bangle). This very simple DIY calls for:

12" ribbon (or enough to tie around your wrist and still slip off)

6" rhinestone trim

scissors

needle

thread

Step #1

Place rhinestone trim on top of the ribbon and make sure the trim is centered. Sew the trim onto the ribbon by stitch in between each rhinestone.

Step #2

Tie ribbon ends together making sure you can still slip the bracelet on and off.

Marie Antoinette: The Journey

"It is in misfortune that you realize your true nature."

-Marie Antoinette

There is always another side to a story. With this in mind, Antonia Fraser's Marie Antoinette: The Journey takes a woman history has villainized and shows her naiveté and vulnerability. Born the fifteenth child of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, Marie Antoinette's childhood was sheltered while her education was often neglected.

Marie Antoinette married Louis-Auguste when she was 15 (he was just a over a year older) and the Palace of Versailles became her new home. Versailles is where life gets interesting for Marie Antoinette - an unhappy marriage, a gambling problem, and rumors galore. Since Austria was the traditional enemy of France, Marie Antoinette had an uphill battle from the beginning, although she was celebrated as the young bride and new queen.

Reading Antonia Fraser's book is a fascinating journey where rumors are more powerful than facts and where illusion replaces reality. While Marie Antoinette was not a perfect woman, she was not the vial caricature that so many people believe. She faced unbelievable pressure from a young age and was the scapegoat of a nation that was hurting and needed someone to blame.

I highly recommend this book if you wan to learn more about Marie Antoinette or French history. The book feels more like a novel than a stuffy history book and was, also, the inspiration for Sofia Coppola's pastry-filled film.

Things I LOVE Thursday

Making bowls out of vinyl records

4th of July parties

Fireworks

This Betsy Johnson Dress

Eating Princess Cake

Butterfly Garland

Reading the Sense and Sensibility

comic from Marvel

Biker Bomber Jacket from Madewell

Watching Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and

Sherlock Holmes

Anthropologie's Foggy Dawn Cap

Shopping IKEA

IKEA is like a furniture theme park: long lines, hours of walking, crying babies, etc. While everyone I know loves the all-day excursion that is shopping there, I will be the first to admit that shopping at IKEA is not my favorite thing to do. Sure, you can find tons of cute things at good prices, but can you find the emergency exit? No. I do not like shopping in a maze and hate that you have to walk through pretty much the entire store in order to get out. That being said, I went to IKEA last weekend and besides counting how many exit signs pointed to a wall and not a door, I, also, found some great design ideas. For instance, the photo above shows a lamp inside a hanging glass vase decorated with twigs and silk flowers inside. Then there was this bedroom with amazing toile wallpaper (Sherman Williams Toile in Book Belle Fleur). Finally, there was the inexpensive yet tasty food: Swedish Meatballs 5 for a $1 and Princess Cake under $2. I highly recommend trying both next time you find yourself trapped in IKEA.

Where are you shopping at this summer?

Summer Wish List

Due to the 90 degree weather, I am staying in doors and am, consequently, spending my time drooling over my virtual shopping finds. Sparkling blues and soft neutrals leave me itching to pull out my credit card; however, spending actual cash will have to wait for another day...

Bobbi Brown's Denim & Rose Collection Sparkle Eye Shadow in Denim

Thanks to its creamy base, this Sparkle Eye Shadow will make my eyes sparkle without ending up on my cheeks.

Lippmann Collection Nail Color in Across the Universe

It's so shiny! Available exclusively at Nordstrom, this nail polish reminds me of the Caribbean Sea while, also, feeding my sparkle addiction.

JustFabulous Harper

This pair of lady-like pink shoes caught my eye with it's sexy stacked heel and retro t-strap. If you are not a member of JustFabulous, you can join here.

All Saints Amka Trench Dress

I love this dress. So femme fatale.

J. Crew Panama Hat

Panama hats are popping up everywhere and ooze warm weather sophistication.

What are you wishing to buy this summer?

Summer Boredom Busters

Kelis - 4th Of July (Fireworks)

Happy early 4th of July! If the dog days of summer have you feeling bored and you don't know what to do, take a look at this list and do something new.

• Listen to the Sounds Of Summer - The Very Best Of The Beach Boys while washing your car.
• Put together a lookbook for your closet with the help of The Fashion Planner's Guide.
• Reread favorite childhood books such as The Babysitters Club, Sweet Valley Twins, and Nancy Drew.
• Act like a tourist in your town and visit your town's museums, gift stores, parks and other tourist traps. Don't forget to take lots of pictures!
• Go see a drive-in movie. Check here for a theatre in your state.
• Make homemade ice cream and have an ice cream social.
• Host a fashion swap party.
• Learn how to do the classic victory roll up do.
• Take tango lessons.
• Sew a dress.

Things i LOVE Thursday

My new tumblr blog

(mostly a collection of favorite quotes and video clips)

Rereading Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Pita pizza

(pita + tomato sauce + cheese + bake 10 min = yummy)

Watching Star Trek

Smoothies

Listening to "You and I"

Walking around the neighborhood