Sabtu, 30 Oktober 2010

Shabby Apple Cider Dress

A few months ago, I entered a giveaway from free!grechen and won a dress from Shabby Apple, a company that offers pretty dresses with a vintage twist. Lately, I've really been attracted to the color orange, a color a don't usually wear, and decided to try the Cider dress from The Berkshires collection. I love how the princess seams contour my body, and the purple zipper in the back is a fun contrast.

The sizing was a little confusing to figure out because the dress was labeled as "Fits Generously", so I ordered down a size. Thankfully, the dress fit.

Shabby Apple describes itself as "A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!" The company, also, contributes a percentage of its profits to support women in Africa and Asia. I'm really happy with my Cider dress and am already thinking about what other dresses I would like to get from Shabby Apple.

Jumat, 29 Oktober 2010

Links a la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup


links a la mode

Costume Drama: A Break From All Things Outfit

Edited by: Holier than Now

It's the Halloween season, when some of us choose to experience the thrill (or horror) of looking nothing like ourselves for a night. For those of you who blog or socially post your outfits, perhaps it's a chance to take a break from the judgmental eye of the spotlight (consider Love Brown Sugar and One More's pieces on the subject) - one night where you turn in "looking good" for looking scary, time period-accurate, or just ... a little sexier than usual. Inspired? Find last minute costume inspiration from Tickle Me Chic and more.

And for those of us who don't celebrate the witching hour, there's still a chance to step away from the closet and remind ourselves that great lingerie, shoes, bags, and jewels can make even a white tee and jeans look scary good.

Links à la Mode: October 28th

  • A La Modest:7 Common Reactions to Style
  • Best of Bklyn: In Favor of Knickknacks - How to Personalize Your House Into A Home
  • Boheme Noir: The definitive IN/OUT list for Fall 2010 bags
  • Closet Confections: Fashion Bloggers Take On Product Placement:A Video Response
  • Cute and Little One: Product placement and blogger responsibility: a blogger's role in influencing product advertising.
  • Daisy Dayz: Inspiring locally-designed headwear
  • Fashion Cents: 3 Tips to Consider for Open-Toe Boots/Shoes for Fall
  • Fête à Fête: YSL's new Rouge Pur Couture lipsticks
  • Holier than Now: 11 Great Jewelry Sites You Might Not Know About
  • Hunting and Gathering: Why Classic Jewelry Never Goes out of Style
  • Independent Fashion Bloggers: Want to be a professional blogger?
  • Interrobangs Anonymous: On going grey in your twenties
  • Love Brown Sugar: Why Don't You Love Me? A curvy girl's ode to outfit posting on fashion communities
  • Miss Viki: AND_i captivating jewelry show coverage, with video
  • OK, Bowtie: Underneath: why everyone needs pretty underwear
  • One More: Does a bloggers dress size affect readership and is the blogging community becoming divided over it?
  • Ruby-Eyed Okapi: A Modest Approach to Halloween Costumes
  • Style Every Day: How to change that horrible mess of jewelry on your dresser to supreme organization
  • The Lingerie Addict: How to Buy Vintage Lingerie for the Perfect Pin-up Figure
  • Tickle Me Chic: Fashion-inspired Halloween Costumes
  • Vogue Mornings: Ten Tips for Achieving Work/Life Balance
  • SPONSOR:

    Kamis, 28 Oktober 2010

    Things i LOVE Thursday


    Keeping really busy


    Making fudge


    Sleeping in
    (finally!)

    (must find some of this nail polish!)

    Drinking chocolate milkshakes
    even though it is cold outside

    Eating homemade stew

    Wanting a Slappers watch
    (just like a slap bracelet!)


    Minggu, 24 Oktober 2010

    En Vogue


    I am loving Vogue's November issue, which features many fabulous photos of the beautiful Anne Hathaway. Sophistication and class ooze off the page and make me long for the chance to dress up in couture and spend my days dripping in diamonds...

    Jumat, 22 Oktober 2010

    Links a la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup


    links a la mode

    The Blogging Diaries- Introspects, insights, and inspirations

    Edited by: Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista

    As bloggers, we often find ourselves looking to other blogs for inspiration. Sometimes we look to our closets, magazines, or in the mirror. This week's roundup fashions some of the most introspective and insightful posts from bloggers who reach across the blogosphere as they look for ways to build upon, contribute to, and pull inspiration for and from the fashion world.

    • 365 Fashion Rehab: Lessons from a (Reformed) Shopaholic: A beautiful handbag repaired (for free!). One more reason to buy quality over quantity.
    • Boheme Noir: The first ladies of Vogue - a closer look at the most important editors in chief.
    • Daisy Dayz: Friend Friday: How to learn from your mistakes and let your blog grow
    • Devilishly Pleasurable: Reflecting on the evolution of my blog and tips for better blogging!
    • Fish Monkey: The notion of flattering dressing is oppressive and unnecessary. Rather than conforming, why not chose a different shape?
    • Hazel Eye Personality: Who has what it takes to be the next big and game changing designer? It takes a lot of time, passion and sanity to make it in the fashion world.
    • Independent Fashion Bloggers: Work Smarter, Not Harder–3 Ways to Massively (and Permanently) Increase Your Traffic.
    • Miss Viki: "Love Me" and what is wrong with our beauty ideals, if anything?
    • No Guilt Fashion: I put on my game face and tried out my biggest fashion trend fear
    • Passionista Place: qvc, hsn...oh my! find out why home shopping networks have become a bit of an addiction for a modern passionista like me.
    • Seamstress Stories: Reflections on the role that mirrors play for our body image and self-perception.
    • Showcase Edge: Indie Fashion Goes Back to the future. A look at designers who hand-make clothing inspired by times of the past
    • Sidewalk Chalk: I'm a poser, baby: 7 steps for posing naturally in outfit photos
    • Stylish White Female: Transitioning from vegetarian to vegan: Some things are hard to give up. Fur is not.
    • Taxonomy of my Wardrobe: Shopping the Wardrobe. My version of this month's Harper's Bazaar Buy Now wear Forever list selected from my own wardrobe.
    • The Coveted: Three Way With a Long Chiffon Skirt
    • The Curvy Fashionista: Nordstrom reaches out to plus size fashion bloggers to collaborate on its newest plus size endeavor- Sejour
    • The Demoiselles: She is not a fashion blogger. She's just a woman, sitting in her bathtub.
    • The Simply Luxurious Life: In a world that seems to be changing quicker than the seasons, what does it mean to be a lady?
    • The Wondergirl: retail-me-not: waxing poetic on two interesting happenings of late in the world of specialty retailing.
    • Vogue Mornings:How not to lose motivation when blogging, a few quick solutions to the problem many bloggers face.
    • SPONSOR:

      Kamis, 21 Oktober 2010

      Things i LOVE Thursday


      Watching the leaves change colors

      by Elizabeth Gilbert

      Trying to learn to belly dance

      Eating delicious chocolate-almond-coconut gelato

      Discovering my decorating personality
      (mine is cozy casual with a hint of vintage eclectic)



      Wanting this Eric Daman Dot Print Dress from Charlotte Russe

      Hearting the Off to See the Wizard Boot from ModCloth

      Drinking lots of apple cider

      Writing an article about Cleopatra for the Costume Chronicles

      Selasa, 19 Oktober 2010

      I Dream of Velvet

      Nothing says luxury like velvet, so a velvet dress is the perfect way to bring some luxe into the everyday. I have my eye on the Velvet Peterpan Collar Dress from TopShop and am hoping it will go on sale in time for the holidays. Perhaps I risk looking like a twelve-year-old in this dress (in fact, I'm pretty sure I owned this dress when I was twelve), but I think lace tights and high heeled shoes would make the look more age appropriate.

      Are you loving fall's velvet trend?

      Don't forget to enter the Hair Fix Giveaway!

      Senin, 18 Oktober 2010

      The Intrigue at Highbury


      Mr. and Mrs. Darcy meet the Knightleys in Carrie Bebris' mystery, The Intrigue at Highbury. When Elizabeth and Darcy are robbed by a highwayman, they seek assistance from the local magistrate, Mr. Knightley. Mr. Knightley and his young bride, Emma, in turn ask the Darcys for help in solving the murder of Frank Churchill's uncle. I loved how the characters from Pride and Prejudice and Emma interacted with each other, and their attempts to solve the murder were entertaining. Moreover, Miss Bates talks about baked apples so frequently, I had to make a batch of apple dumplings after finishing the book. I would, also, recommend a cup of tea while reading this mystery.

      For more Jane Austen goodness, check out the Everything Austen II Challenge.

      Don't forget to enter the Ms. Taken Giveaway (ends tonight)

      Sabtu, 16 Oktober 2010

      Giveaway: Hair Fix--Not Your Grandma's Dry Shampoo!


      I'm not one who likes to shampoo my hair everyday, so a dry shampoo is a must-have in my beauty arsenal. I am excited to be offering one lucky reader a bottle of Hair Fix Dry Shampoo in winner's choice of black, brown, or white. Hair Fix is totally vegan and is scented with a blend of 100% certified organic essential oils. Plus, it's talc-free. Hair Fix, also, supports non-profits such as Farm Sanctuary, Food for Life, WriteGirl, and Rocky Mountain Animal Defense. If you're looking for an almost entirely organic alternative to dry shampoo, Hair Fix is the answer.

      To Enter Giveaway:

      1. Leave a comment below with your email

      Extra entries:
      1. Subscribe to The Fashion Planner
      2. Follow me on Twitter (@akaleistar)

      Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!

      Giveaway open until midnight, October 31, 2010.

      Open internationally.

      Winner will be chosen by random drawing.

      Special thanks to Hair Fix for the giveaway!

      More giveaways on free!grechen.com

      Jumat, 15 Oktober 2010

      Links a la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup


      links a la mode

      Coats on!

      Edited by: Florrie Clarke of Intrinsically Florrie
      Change is literally in the air, bringing with it the cold and rain that requires a wardrobe transition. I must confess to being ill prepared myself and as a consequence have been drenched in the freezing cold. Time to get out your boots and coat because fall is well and truly here. I may stick stubbornly to my floral dresses all year round, but the difference is in the layers. So I'm on the look out for fabulous tights and there are a couple of lovely posts to help me choose or even DIY my own style.

      Links à la Mode: October 14th

      • Beautifully Invisible: The Art of Fashion Photography, as told by guest contributor Casee Marie
      • Best of bklyn: A guide to looking great on rainy days.
      • Broke & Beautiful: Kelli Murray proves that fashion and style are both forms of art.
      • Clothed Much: Blogging tips I've learned after a year and a half of blogging
      • Dramatis Personae: If I Were Another Person- What would you wear if you were someone else?
      • Forever Amber: My discovery of style blogging has also led to a discovery of places around my town that I didn't even know existed
      • Grit and Glamour: Friend Friday: Sticks, Stones, Comments, Criticism, and Kindness
      • Independent Fashion Bloggers: Bloggers Talk Monetizing Sites
      • Intrinsically Florrie: A backstage look at the London Season debutantes of 2010 at the Queen Charlotte's Ball, featuring Pronovias wedding dresses and Mikimoto jewelry.
      • Leia's Delights: Tutorial on how to enhance curly/wavy hair
      • Love Brown Sugar: Why spend your hard-earned dollars on trends that will fade away next season? A Guide To Thrifting Trends
      • Make the World a Prettier Place: A selection of beautiful vintage-inspired dresses
      • Malvestida: I came across the idea of making a photoshoot about two of the things I love the most: music and fashion.
      • Oranges and Apples: Beauty Essentials: Nivea Creme
      • Other Dutch Animals: Mad men and English women: reject the high maintenance of the past and do vintage your way
      • Skinny Purse: How To Wear Tights - Fall's Essential Foundation Garment
      • Shrimp Salad Circus: Get that extra mile out of your tights with seven fun and fashionable DIY projects!
      • Style Eyes: Sustainable Clothing - Progress by the UK high street and online retailers since the launch of the sustainable clothing action plan
      • The Citizen Rosebud: The story a a couple of backhanded compliments
      • The Coveted: Is it Fall Yet? What to wear in transitional weather.
      • The New Professional: DIY: Turn an A-line into a pencil skirt.
      • SPONSOR:

        Kamis, 14 Oktober 2010

        Things i LOVE Thursday


        Taking a belly dancing class


        by Carrie Berris

        Baking chocolate gingerbread cookies

        Listening to The Like


        Watching Pirates of the Caribbean

        Loving this desk

        Hearting fun tights

        Rabu, 13 Oktober 2010

        Aveda Institute Manicure

        Today I went to the salon and had my first professional manicure. I live near an Aveda Institute, which is an Aveda beauty school, and their special fall promotion was a free spa service with any hair service. I was super excited because I was able to get a haircut plus a free manicure (usually $24 including a free nail polish) for only $16. The color for my mani is OPI You Don't Know Jacques!

        Here is a breakdown of the Aveda manicure:
        • File nails
        • Remove cuticles
        • Hand exfoliation with massage and scrub removed with warm towel
        • Lotion painted on hand and removed with warm towel
        • More lotion applied to hand and removed with warm towel
        • Two coats of base coat
        • Two coats of nail color
        • Removal of excess nail color around edges
        • Top coat
        • Two drops Drip Dry
        I must admit the best part was the warm neck pillow that I wore throughout the manicure. It smelled like cinnamon and brown sugar!

        Where do you go for manicures?

        Don't forget to enter the Ms. Taken Ring Giveaway!

        Senin, 11 Oktober 2010

        Girl on Top

        While my closet is filled with various coats and jackets to see me through the fall months, my wardrobe is lacking a very basic necessity - tops. I have a handful of t-shirts and tanks that I layer with cardigans but no decent top that can be worn on its own. Thankfully, I checked out Ruche's darling selection of tops and soon hope to remedy this topless situation. Here are a few of my favorites:





        What wardrobe basic are you missing?


        Sabtu, 09 Oktober 2010

        Ms. Taken Giveaway


        When I came across Claire Trageser's article, "Faking My Engagement," in the October issue of Marie Claire, I was immediately intrigued by Ms. Taken, a company that sells fake engagement rings. No longer fear being hit on during your bus commute to work or your days spent working the counter at the mall now that Ms. Taken's "2 carats of pure deception" is your secret weapon. The Ms. Taken Femme Fatale Ring Package includes:
        • Ms.Taken Classic 2-carat Australian crystal ring, set in a size-7 stainless steel band (jewelers can easily resize)
        • Discreet keychain case with compact mirror
        • Set of Playaz cards, to help you spot unsuitable suitors
        • Enclosed in a high-quality jewelry case

        I love Ms. Taken's packaging from the oversized jewelry box to the witty comments inside. I really wish that ring was offered in more sizes, but when I took the ring to the jewelry store to get it resized, I learned that you can get a temporary band placed inside the band instead of getting the band sized down. I went with this option since I will only wear the ring occasionally, and because the ring wouldn't fit in the keychain if I sized it down to a size-4.


        I admit I felt a little funny running around town with an "engagement ring" on my finger, but I must admit that this little ring could be quite brilliant when you find yourself the object of unwanted attention. Just please don't wear the ring because all of your other friends are engaged and you feel naked without a ring on your finger, too.

        To Enter Giveaway:

        1. Follow me (@akalaiestar) and Ms. Taken (@MsTakenRing) on Twitter
        2. Tweet: Reading The Fashion Planner and just entered to win @MsTakenRing to fend off unwanted suitors. Enter here: http://bit.ly/aUXzof
        3. Leave a comment below with your Twitter name

        Giveaway open until midnight, October 18, 2010.

        Open worldwide. Winner will be chosen randomly.

        Products for review and giveaway provided by Ms. Taken.

        Enter more giveaways at free!grechen.

        Jumat, 08 Oktober 2010

        Links a la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup



        links a la mode

        Hats Off!


        Edited by: Thom of The Sunday Best


        With fashion weeks in full swing it would have been easy for the IFB fold to post multiple photos and call it a day. Hats off to these dedicated writers for continuing to pump out original content on often thorny issues (negative blogging anyone?). In particular it was nice to finally see more than one male blogger throwing his hat into the ring. Dressed for Dinner - we salute you and your lovely beard.



        Links à la Mode: October 8th



        Sponsored by:


        New at Shopbop: Blouses - Maternity - Rompers - Lingerie - Leggings - Tank Tops - Satchels



        Selasa, 05 Oktober 2010

        Halloween Video Roundup

        Halloween is just a few weeks away, and already my head is full of ideas of what I want to be. I feel like last year was all about Lady Gaga, but this year is about rockin' Katy Perry and her fabulous blue wigs. I'm, also, loving turning an extra-large t-shirt into a cute tube dress - versatile for so many different looks. Here is a roundup of amazingly easy costume ideas and fabulous makeup looks.

        Katy Perry California Gurls Music Video Inspired Make-up Tutorial: Foxylocksextensions


        Snooki Halloween Tutorial! Makeup, Hair, Costume, and Rhinestone Sunglasses!: juicystar07


        Lady Gaga Telephone Makeup Tutorial: MasqueradeMakeup


        Natalie Portman Black Swan Theatrical Makeup: KlairedelysArt


        Alice in Wonderland Costume: GiannyL


        How-To: Tinkerbell Costume From a T-Shirt: GiannyL


        Greek Goddess Halloween Costume : SecretLifeofABionerd


        Poison Ivy Costume - Secretlifofabionerd


        Who do you want to dress as for Halloween?

        Senin, 04 Oktober 2010

        Fly Worthy Nails

        Nail polish was a childhood obsession of mine, and over the last year, I find myself once again drawn to colorful bottles of polish. Sally Hansen's HD Hi-Definition Nail Color in Resolution is a beautiful emerald green that I have been wearing frequently. When layered over black polish, the color changes, going from green to blue-black depending on the light, and is reminiscent of an iridescent insect.

        Without Flash

        With Flash

        Jumat, 01 Oktober 2010

        Links a la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup


        links a la mode

        Fashion Blog Improvement

        Edited by Jennine Jacob of Independent Fashion Bloggers

        Whether you are contemplating starting a blog or if you've been bloggging for a while, getting to know the ropes is a never-ending journey. This week we have a nice round up of bloggers sharing how they do it, what they find important about blogging. From taking your own photos, whether or not to have comments, and how to cover the fashion shows with your own twist, this is the week to buckle down and learn.

        Links à la Mode: September 30th

        • Boheme Noir: Burberry S/S 11 Show Coverage
        • Brachman's Sparrow: So you want to know how to grow your blog…
        • Chic Steals: Marshall's and the World of Off-Price Retailing
        • Dramatis Personae: Fashion vs. Fatfashion Blogger
        • Dressful: Fashion is Art, Not Trivial!
        • Fashion Pulse Daily:New York Fashion Week Team’s Top Spring 2011 Trends
        • Fete a Fete: Dolce & Gabana Evocative Beauty Fall 2010
        • Hello Beauty: Bobbi Brown Black Velvet Fall 2010 Collection Review & Video
        • Independent Fashion Bloggers: The Importance (and Unimportance) of Being Niche'd
        • Leia's Delights: No Comments?
        • ModlyChic: How to Take Your Own Outfit Photos
        • Retro Chick: Revies Illamasqua Lipstick
        • Scarlet Letter Style: Are Boobs Really Back?
        • Style Spotting: The Women of Warpaint
        • The Column of Samantha Tyler: Decoding: Bestiary of the IT Girls
        • The Coveted: Getting Inspired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art
        • The Lingerie Addict: How to Dress Like Dita von Teese
        • The Simpliy Luxurious Life: Tips for Looking Fantastic Each Day
        • Vogue Gone Rouge: New Upcoming Designers Show
        • Wit & Whimsy: Getting to know designer Phillip Lim and why everyone's talking about him and his line
        • SPONSOR: