Happy Halloween: Fantasy Makeup Fun

Happy Monday to you all, I hope you had a lovely weekend. Today instead of doing a "Style Muse Monday" post I decided to do something special. Since today is Halloween I wanted to post something that went with the fantasy theme of the day. I know when I think Halloween I always think costume, then hair and then makeup. However I was really inspired by a post by my fashion blogger friend, Kaitlyn, who's Halloween look revolved around her makeup check it out here. I think that doing a fantasy makeup look is a great way to create a last minute costume and a sure way to have a unique look this Halloween.  I scoured YouTube and found a few amazing fantasy makeup videos to inspire you, whether it be this year or for next.  Enjoy!

Last Minute Halloween Costume

Here's a quick last minute Halloween costume idea, 1990's grunge girl. With 90's clothes officially reaching vintage status it's a great year to resurrect and recycle those duds as a costume. The pieces are probably things you have, could buy at a thrift store or borrow from a guy friend.

The Main Ingredients:

• Henley or 90's Band Shirt
• Flannel Button Down (Cut the sleeves off for a DIY vest)
• Ripped Baggy Jeans
• Beanie Hat
• Guitar Pick Necklace or Velvet Choker
• Grommet Belt
• Fingerless Gloves
• Combat Boots

The Extras:

• Unkempt Dirty Looking Hair (run some gel through it for a wet look)
• Colorful clip in Extensions think Manic Panic Bright
• Dark Brick Red Lipstick

Sleepwear You Can Wear Inside or Out

Yes I know crazy long title, but I couldn't think of how to phrase it otherwise. We have all had those mornings where the dog needs to go out or the kids have to be brought out to the bus and hello you're still standing there in fuzzy slippers and heart print PJ's. That's when having some nightwear that could also double as lounge wear comes in handy.  I'm not saying to banish the fun prints or the silky neglige's just make sure to have a stash of practical sleepwear for those crazy Mondays mornings.

Who am I, I am a Collage

There are many facets of my personality that shine through at varying moments.  Like distant stars in a black sky the glint and glitter only hinting at the full person behind them.  I love a good collage and Polyvore makes it insanely easy to create beautiful and compelling collages.  What I also love about Polyvore is the community, with people all over the world able to connect, comment and like your sets.  There is also contests constantly running on the website and while I don't expect to win I love to use the contests as a source of inspiration.  The latest contest Polyvore is running asked the community to show who they are through a visual collage.  Here is what I created.

All About Me: A Snapshot of My Heart by jrosestyle

There are a few things I thought of after, but I feel like it the collage communicates a sense of myself without being overly busy.  If you are a member of Polyvore and created a set for this contest please share the link in the comments section, I would love to see it.

Sneak Peak at Versace for H&M

Well I am back from my mini vacay and I am jumping into this week with a post concerning a pretty big designer collab. I am talking about the Versace for H&M Collection that hits stores on November 19th. With just a few weeks away images from the collection are emerging and Versace fans will not be disappointed. The line evokes all the elements of the legendary Italian label; form fitting silhouettes, bright colors, decadents patterns, bold metal accents. Here is a little sneak peak at a few of the pieces complete with how I would style them to complete the look.

Sneak Peak Versace for H&M by jrosestyle featuring h&m dresses

So what do you think? Click here to view more pieces from the collection as featured on British Vouge's website.

Savoring a Peaceful Moment

Taking in a serene seascape before heading home. Be back to blogging tomorrow.

Friday Commandment: Be the Leading Lady (or Man) in Your Life

While I am away enjoying the hopefully sunny southeast (it's really pouring in NY as I write this, so a girl can dream) I wanted to leave you with a little clip for you to savor and mull over this weekend.  I could write a paragraph to explain the point of the post "Be the Leading Lady", but I think this film clip sums it up so beautifully.  The clip is from the 2006 movie "The Holiday" and while I only saw the movie once this scene stuck with me.  I was reminded of it constantly whenever I saw myself fading into the background of my life.  I hope you all have a lovely weekend. Find a way to be the star in your own life.

Packing the Basics for a Long Weekend

On Friday I will be heading out for the weekend to attend my cousin's wedding.  The airline that I am flying with is the only carrier to fly direct to the destination. While it is convenient flying non-stop, the airline has lots of fees not included in the ticket price.  One such fee is for carry-on luggage, they charge you a flat fee each way for a carry-on bag.  I haven't flown in while, so maybe this is standard practice now.  Trying to save money and my back I decided to fit everything into one tote bag.  I brought mix matchable basics as well as the dress and shoes I am wearing to the wedding.  To give you an idea of what I brought I created a set of pieces (all under $100) that can be mixed and matched to create a multitude of looks to last a long weekend.  One of the outfits would be worn when traveling and can be reused in other looks.

What do you think? What do you pack when you are going away for a long weekend?

Online Shopping 101: Petite Denim Resources

Asos:
Asos is an online catalog company.  They offer a selection of trendy petite pieces ranging from dresses to denim.  Their denim selection for petites is not as abundant as their women's denim, but they offer a variety that capture the latest cuts and colors of the season.

Gap:
If you are looking for classic cuts in a variety of washes then Gap is a good resource. Gap's petite sizes range from 00 to size 18.  I have personally had a few pairs of Gap denim and while not inexpensive they are great fitting and high quality.

Topshop:
Topshop has a small selection of petite denim. They are all slim cut in a variety of washes. Much like ASOS, Topshop focuses on trendy cut and colors.

Nordstrom:
Nordstrom carries of variety of brands that come in petite sizes. While some can be a little pricey in the ($100 range) there are still plenty of options under $70.  The cuts are more classic and conservative than some of the other sites.

Old Navy:
Old Navy has the lowest priced selection of petite denim.  They also have a variety of cuts and colors.  I have tried Old Navy's denim and the fit can be problematic depending on the cut, but then again there is such a variety that you are sure to find a fit that works for you.

Behind The Blog: My Workspace

 

My workspace is not what creates the blog,  but it is an integral part of how and when I work.  I have a very small room that I have multipurposed by subdividing it into smaller areas designated for certain activities.  I have a desk and a supply cart for my painting and sewing projects, a nook for reading and a little desk where I do most of my writing.  Keeping these area neat and orderly is important to me.  Especially the desk, clutter distracts me from the task at hand.  The lovely petite desk I use was found curbside, alone and unwanted.  It was dragged to my house stripped, sanded and stained.  The desk itself has three little drawers, but I have added few small drawers that keep the pens, pencils and computer wires out of sight.  The magnetic strip allows me to post up reminders and editorial schedules so they are where I can always see them.  The pink bins are for business cards; one bin for the ones I need to go through and a bin for the ones I need to file.  My laptop is like the main vein in my blogging operation, it is how I connect on Twitter and Facebook, it is how I manage my posts on Blogger and it is how I do research for upcoming posts.  I would be lost without it.  I try to keep it clutter free with the external hard drive and keep it cool with the built in fan.  If the laptop is working and content, I can be happy and productive.  This is my basic work setup.  The beauty of being a blogger is you don't need much in the way of equipment, what you bring to the blog in continuity, quality and creativity are the things that really count.

What does your workspace look like?

Style Muse Monday: Katharine Hepburn

Friday Commandment: Give Yourself a Compliment

I find myself all too frequently turning a critical eye towards myself.  How many times have I stared in the mirror only to see the flaws, while the positive attributes blur out of focus and go unnoticed.  Well no more!  From this point forward whenever I look in the mirror I vow to focus on the positive, no matter how small or minor I think it is.  I am not going to just focus on the positives of my appearance, but all the great things about myself that I often overlook.  It's nice to hear the praise of friends, and family, but I don't need to wait for the world to take notice, and neither should you.  This weekend at the start of the day take a look in the mirror and tell yourself three things you like about yourself. Will you try it?  Tell me the three things that make you awesome in the comments section.

Taking a Look Back: My Style 1996

Here is a photo snapped of me waiting at an airport July 1996. Excuse the chipmunk face (no idea what was going on there).  I was 15 and eagerly waiting to board a plane, on what would be my first flight.  You can see that even though I was traveling I still made sure that I was properly accessorized, note the multiple chains and rings.  I was wearing my favorite jacket, a ditzy daisy cotton number from Delia's.  * Side note I lived and breathed Delia's clothes back then and would ravenously flip through the pages whenever a new catalog arrived.  The rest of the outfit was relatively simple a boy's white cotton tank and wide leg jeans.  What I love about this picture, aside from the expression (priceless really) was the haircut.  I used to love experimenting with my hair; different lengths, the color, my hair was constantly changing.  I love the edginess of the cut; the length and the bangs, how very chic of me.  Looking at this picture reminded me that sometimes style risks pay off and I was certainly more of a risk taker back then.  Moving forward I want to try to take more chances with my style.  Whether it be with my hair or my clothes, I don't want to become staid or comfortable I want to continue to evolve and move forward.

Do you ever find yourself in a comfortable style rut?  What were you wearing back in 1996?

Wacky Wednesday: MC Hammer Pants Redux

Yes you read that title correctly. What you about to view may bring back unpleasant fashion memories from the 80's.  Consider yourself warned.  The following item looks like the unholy love child of an old gray sweatshirt and a pair of Hammer Pants (see what happens when you leave clothes alone in the giveaway bag).  I know that the designer was trying to evoke a harem relaxed/casual dress code vibe, but why, why would that be a look. The the tie front is just confusing, it looks like a sweatshirt tied round the waist and then there is an upside down sweatshirt for the legs.  Also the crotch is about knee height, which in my very humble fashion opinion is always just wrong.  Ladies I ask you, do you ever want to look like a toddler with a loaded diaper?  If yes, then for just $239 they can be yours.

Tricot Jumper Pants, $239, Revolve Clothing

Morning Makeup Routine: The Essentials

I don't function well in the mornings.  It has nothing to do how much sleep I got or whether or not I hopped up right away when the alarm went off, I am just not or ever will be a morning person.  Mid-afternoon, yes, evening, yes, morning definitely not.  My makeup routine in the morning is very basic, so even if I was half unconscious and am in a rush (both of which I usually am) I would be able to do it.  The skincare is very basic; wash and moisturize and even the makeup is fairly minimal.  I will always spend a little extra time playing up my eyes, since they are my favorite feature. Even if I skip the foundation, the eyes still get lined and I always apply a couple coats of mascara.

Step 1: Wash face
Product: Aveeno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser

Step 2: Moisturize
Product: Aveeno Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer

Step 3: Foundation, applied with fingers
Product: Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation in E20 Peaches & Cream

Step 4: Brush brows upward and fill
Product: Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil

Step 5: Apply light color shadow all over lid
Product: Urban Decay eyeshadow in Virgin from the Dangerous Palette

Step 6: Eyeliner
Product: Almay Liquid Eyeliner Pen in Black or Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil in Rockstar

Step 7: Mascara
Product: Diorshow Mascara in Black

Step 8: Lip Balm
Product: Soft Lips Pure Organic Lip Conditioner in Pomegranate

If I have extra time in the morning (which is mostly never) I brush on some blush and apply a lipstick. I hope you enjoyed looking at my morning makeup routine.  I would love to hear about some of your favorite products that you use in your morning routine.

Style Muse Monday: Gwen Stefani Circa 1990

I don't have much to say about attending High School in the 1990's.  There are certain things from the 90's though that I could wax poetic on. One being fashion, two being movies and the third would be music. I love that the decades fashions were so heavily influenced by the music scene of the time. My style was certainly influenced by the musicians I adored. I have to say that one of the most influential people on my personal style in HS would have to be Gwen Stafani. Her 90's style was kooky and eclectic; a combination of rockabilly, skater girl and punk with a dash of global influence.   It was masculine; baggy pants, combat boots, and chain wallets. But it was also feminine; retro curls, red lips and cropped tops. The polarities of how she dressed herself was endlessly fascinating to me as a teen. So today's Style Muse Monday is dedicated to one of the first people whose style I tried to emulate, Gwen Stafani.

Gwen Stefani: 1990's Style by jrosestyle featuring roll up pants

Friday Commandment: Take a Moment For You

It is very easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the day to day; everyone's schedules, your work, all the appointments. In addition to that, especially if you are anything like me, you are juggling projects and requests that you just couldn't say no to.  This constant pressure to perform and be able to do it all to perfection wears on one, it's vitally important to take a step back and schedule a moment or two for yourself.  So this weekend I hope you can take a moment for you, even if it's just an hour.  Go to lunch (there is something so glorious and leisurely about lunching by yourself), watch a movie, go apple picking, give yourself a mani-pedi.  Whatever it is you have been longing to do for you, schedule some time and make it happen.  Have a glorious weekend. I want to hear all about your you plans in the comments section.

Online Shopping 101: Vintage Shopping with Market Publique

I always love discovering new websites that are easy to use, have a great layout and well, have to do with shopping.  I attended the IFB conference in September where I met Pamela Castillo, Co-Founder and Creative director of Market Publique.  Market Publique is an online auction site solely dedicated to vintage clothing and accessories. Anyone who has tried vintage shopping online knows what a cavernous mess of a maze it can be.  Etsy and Ebay may have massive web sites filled to the brim with vintage goods, but let's be honest, they are so overwhelming and the sellers aren't always reliable.  Castillo explained that Market Publique is different because the site administrators select and approve the sellers before they are allowed to list items on the website.  The selection may be smaller than some of those "mega-sites", but the site has a higher end curated feel to it and the items look like they are a higher quality.  I am all for quality over quantity, if you are too and love a good vintage find swing by Market Publique.  Here is a snapshot of some of the gorgeous pieces currently up for auction.

60's Structured Kelly Green Purse, $35

70's Crochet Vest, $14.99

60's Wool Pencil Dress with Bow, $55

80's Polka Dot Crop Top, $7.99

80's Tribal Collar Necklace, $30

Remember the things pictured are only a sample of the offerings on Market Publique, because of they are one of a kind they may not be available.  I hope you enjoyed my website roundup for Market Publique, got a great online vintage source share it in the comments section below.  

When Bad Things Happen to Good Dresses

Since it's wacky Wednesday I thought I would share a little mid-week fashion kookiness I found online. I am often surfing different e-tailers websites looking for things to share on the blog and occasional I will stumble upon something so terrible I cannot believe that it exists.  I usually bypass it figuring it's too terrible to share on a fashion site.  Well I have change my mind, in the belief that there are lessons to be learned from the bad fashion as well. Today's wacky Wednesday find demonstrates the very fine line between embellishment and over-embellishment.  The lovely, floaty navy chiffon dress below would be utter perfection for a date night ensemble. It suffers from one, make that three problems, scroll and observe.

The designers apparently thought that they could take the boring, simplistic, elegance of this dress and kick it up a notch.  Bam! I don't know about you but the embellishment looks like an explosion in the vicinity of, ahem...the lady parts, as if that weren't bad enough, there are two other explosive embellishments for the underarms.  Ladies let this be a lesson to you, less is certainly more, unless you want your date staring at the sparkly circling vortex on your crotch.  If so, then by all means this is the dress for you.

Fall 2011 Accessory Report

If you only buy one accessory this fall to add to your wardrobe let it be the Wool floppy hat. The hat is at once structured and relaxed, formal and casual. It can be worn in a multitude of ways and as you will see below the addition of a hat to any outfit will add up to instant chic.

Style Muse Monday: Emma Watson

A multitude of adjectives can be used to describe Emma Watson's style. Edgy, chic, glamorous, eclectic and "very British" as Emma herself has said of her style. I stumbled across a picture from Watson's Teen Vogue cover shoot from August 2009. While the photo is a couple of years old at this point I thought that the style looked timeless and also provided a great lesson on transitioning summer pieces to fall. Take it as art or inspiration the combination of the rich burgundy blazer with crisp white is brilliant. Mix in some faux fur, edgy accessories as swipe of red lip and you are on your way to emulating Emma's posh eclectic look.