Halloween Costume Ideas

Black Swan

Alice in Wonderland

Little Red Riding Hood

Carmen San Diego

Mary Poppins

All pictures via Pinterest

Morning Makeup Routine

IFB Project #16 asks bloggers to discuss their morning makeup routines. My makeup routine is pretty simple. After washing my face, I apply Mary Kay TimeWise Day Solution and then a foundation. Right now I am using CoverGirl NatureLux Silk Foundation, which I like to apply with a foundation brush for more even coverage. A touch of blush, a swipe of mascara, and a dab of lip balm finishes off my look. My current mascara is from blinc, a brand I was unfamiliar with until I won this mascara in a giveaway. The staying power is really great!

My routine does change a bit depending on where I am going that day. I reach for the Balm overshadow for times when I want to draw attention to my eyes. M.A.C. and Limecrime are favorites for when I want to play up my lips with bold colors.

What is your morning makeup routine like?

Any favorite products you use?

Special thanks to Velvet for the Zombie Rabbit Award!

Snip, Snip

This week I decided that it was time to rock a new look and had between eight and ten inches cut off my hair. Usually, I get my hair cut gradually into a shorter style, but since I wanted to donate my hair, I had it chopped off all at once. I've never donated hair before, so I did some research before deciding on Children With Hairloss, an organization that helps people under 21 who are suffering from medically related hair loss. It was a great feeling walking out of the salon with a new look and a way to give somebody else a new look, too.

Things i LOVE Thursday

"You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically—to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside."

Quoting Stephen Covey

This week has been crazy, and time for blogging just slipped away. A new job means that blogging is going to be sporadic, but I'll post more about that later.

Browsing MyTights

I'm not sure what I'd wear with these tights, but I love the doodle designs.

Wanting this jacket

Glow-in-the-dark snakeskin print? Yes! This jacket from adidas by Stella McCartney just might make running this winter worth it.

Watching Ringer

I caught an episode of Ringer this week and am anxious to catch up on the previous episodes. I'm a fan of Ioan Gruffudd and am excited to see him in this series!

Hearting Jason Wu for Target

O.K., his collection does not come out until spring, but I'm still excited about this collaboration. I'm hoping I'll be able to buy more than just a pair of socks...

What are you loving this week?

What I Wore... on an Autumn's Day

Wrap: FRAAS gifted by LiptonPublicity

Tank: Soprano

T-shirt: h.i.p.

Belt: Gap

Skirt: Banana Republic

Tights: Kushyfoot gifted by LiptonPublicity

Shoes: Vans

Lips: My Beautiful Rocket by Lime Crime

Nails: Facets of Fuchsia by Revlon

It was a beautiful day just right for a few outfit pics. I love this wrap by FRAAS, which was sent to me by LiptonPublicity. The wrap is so soft, and since it is black, it works with most of my clothes. I love color, but I have a tendency of dressing like a giant bruise relying on outfits that are black and blue. Makeup is where I go color crazy such as this orange lipstick from Lime Crime. I forgot to get pictures of my nails, but I am wearing a blackish purple glitter from Revlon that reminds me of Deborah Lippmann's Bad Romance. At under $4, Revlon's Facets of Fuchsia is worth grabbing. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Things i LOVE Thursday

Hearting these Metamorphic earings

I love dangly earrings, and these hand cut triangles have just the right vibe.

Going to see Drive

This film is incredibly well made with beautiful cinematography and an engrossing story; however, this film is not for the faint of heart. The second half of the film is very bloody...

Wanting this lace skater dress

If Kate Middleton's wedding gown turned into a little black dress, this is what you would get. Love it!

Watching Pan Am

Glamour takes flight in this new show that follows a group of Pan Am stewardesses. I'm so excited to see what happens next!

What are you loving this week?

Sweeter Sweaters

cashmere zip-front hoodie

There's a bit of a nip in the air reminding me that it is time to unpack my fall clothes. Somehow all of my sweaters seemed to have disappeared, so I must find cozy knit replacements pronto. While perusing J. Crew, I landed upon their cashmere collection, and naturally, I want it all. Soft, snugly sweaters are my cold weather downfall, and deep jewel tones offer just the right pop of color.

cashmere shawl cardigan

How to Dress for a Zombie Attack

It's Septmeber Zombies over at VVB32 Reads, and what better way to celebrate humanity's impending doom than with a post about how to dress for a zombie attack! For inspiration I turned to Serenity's River Tam, a girl who knows how to rock floaty dresses and biker boots while fighting who/whatever gets in her way.

How to Dress for a Zombie Attack by icedivastar featuring a flap bag

While cargo pants and tank tops are end of the world wardrobe staples, dresses scream, "I am woman. Hear me roar! See how pretty I look as I kill scores of zombies!" This floaty red dress from ASOS is roomy enough for any acrobatic fighting you may be called upon to do. Should the zombie apocalypse call for something a little more formal, this black stunner by Paprika will knock them dead. Now that you know what to wear, check out this list from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get started on your zombie apocalypse preparedness kit.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Loving this dress from TopShop

This dress isn't my usual style, but the limited edition dress is just so irresistibly cheerful looking and would be like wearing sunshine on a cloudy day.

Hearting Wool and the Gang

With the weather starting to feel like fall, I am getting this urge to attempt knitting again. I am not a very good knitter, but knitting is such a lovely cold weather hobby. Wool and the Gang sells several kits, like this one for a hoody scarf, that includes everything one needs to get started.

Making cinnamon rolls

I made a batch of cinnamon rolls and meant to take a picture, but most of them were gone before I realized I had forgotten to take a picture. Instead, here is a picture from the recipe I used. The cinnamon rolls are a bit time consuming but oh, so worth it.

Wanting The Seven Year Pen

Not only is this pen full of personality, but it is, also, supposed to last for seven years. Eco friendly and stylish. Nice.

Watching Top Gun

With cheesy yet oh so quotable dialogue and a singing in the shower worthy soundtrack, Top Gun is an 80's classic.

What are you loving?

Channeling Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey by icedivastar featuring feather hair accessories

Imagine a time when dressing for dinner was an everyday occasion. Downton Abbey is back with more domestic drama and period perfect fashion. Sadly, those of us in the U.S. will have to wait until January to see what happens next...

If you haven't seen the series, here is what you missed.

I love period movies and tv shows and am always look for new suggestions. Mad Men has been on my to-see list forever, but I'm still waiting on my request from the library. I've, also, heard that The Kennedys is good. Any other recommendations?

Weekend Haul

Books and a DVD that I've added to my library over the last few weeks.

I managed to snag a pair of knee socks from the Missoni for Target collection. Who knew the collection would sell out so fast? I'm hoping the frenzy will wear off in a couple of weeks and people will start returning some of the items they hoarded. Was anyone able to buy what they wanted from the collection?

Two necklaces I bought from JewelMint. On the left is the Cavalier Crest Pendant, and on the right is the Hayden Necklace.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Reading The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern

This week I enjoyed curling up and reading the day away. Do not be fooled this book's girly cover because inside is an almost gothic tale about a girl growing up and taking charge of her destiny.

Watching Little Women

This movie is like cinema comfort food. Jo has always been one of my heroes with her feisty attitude and passion for writing.

Painting my nails

You Don't Know Jacques! is one of my favorite OPI colors and is such a lovely color for transitioning into autumn.

Hearting these heels

Sadly, the Bookbinder Heels from Anthropologie are sold out in my size, but I am still lusting over them.

Thinking about a new haircut

I realize that it was not that long ago that I was saying that I wished my hair was longer. However, I found this picture of Carey Mulligan on Pinterest and am so very tempted to make the cut.

What are you loving this week?

Red Velvet Not Safe for Runways

I'm feeling a bit under the weather this week and have been subsisting on tea and toast for the last couple of days. Suddenly, I have the most amazing craving for red velvet, and I'm not talking about the fabric. I quick browse on Pinterest turned up so many delicious looking pictures that I can't wait to muster enough energy to get busy in the kitchen. If you're in the mood, Paula Deen's red velvet cake recipe is excellent!

All photos via Pinterest

White Hot Spring

Another Fashion Week is in full force, but alas, I am stuck in the Midwest getting my runway fix thanks to IFB, The Cut, and Style.com. I'm really not in the mood to look at spring clothes since I am just now embracing the idea of fall and the need to layer off and on throughout the day, but who am I to argue with the timing of the fashion gods?

This week's IFB Project asks bloggers to discuss some of their favorite spring trends. While some of my favorite designers have not shown their collections yet, I decided to go ahead and post some thoughts. Since it is spring, the de rigueur bright colors and floral explosions are on display (see Tracy Reese and Prabal Gurung). However, my favorite trend so far is the use of white, off-white, and beige that is popping up in many collections. Whether it is Erin Fetherston's interpretation of Mia Farrow's playful shift dresses or Jenni Kayne's take on urban athleticism, white and its sister hues will be a major trend next spring.

Old Hollywood Reigns

Zac Posen's collection embraced curves befitting an Old Hollywood screen legend. Amidst the jewel tones were a smattering of beige dresses that could turn any woman into a pearl.

Photos via Style.com

East Meets West

The collection from The Row was partly inspired by Tibet. The serene color palette and attention to detail make this another stand out collection by the Olsens.

Photos via Style.com

Life as a Fairy Tale

When I read this post from Fashion Editor at Large about the real wedding of Lydia Hearst that doubled as a runway show for Imitation of Christ, I was amazed. With gorgeous, Depression-era inspired dresses, the relaunch of Imitation of Christ was a stunning display of art meeting life.

Photos via Style.com

What are some of your favorite spring trends?

Any favorite collections so far?