Sephora Falsies and How to Care for Them

This is a review of a pair of false lashes that I received (Thanks Kaity ;)) and a guide on how to take care of them.  These are the "Astonish Lashes" by Sephora and I used them for the second time this weekend and I love them! They were a little bit too much for me when I first got them, so I trimmed a small amount of lashes off from the inside corner of the lashes to get more of a natural yet cat eye look. The glue is great that comes with them. It is already pretty tacky, so you can put a drop on one end and stretch it out to the other end and it will apply the perfect amount.  Wait only a few seconds before applying and then you're ready to go for the whole night (or day...)! I was out until 5 a.m. and had no problems at all. 

Here's the link to buy them online or you can go to any Sephora and see all the options that they have. (Trust me, there's alot.) They are significantly more expensive than drug store brands, so it's important to be able to use them more than once. If you didn't know, you can clean and reuse false lashes many many times. 

First, get your supplies: Rubbing alcohol, an eyebrow brush or spare mascara brush, some paper towels. 

Let the lashes sit in the alcohol for 15 to 20 minutes.

 Use the eyebrow brush to lightly brush off the glue from the inside of the lashes. It should start to peel off easily. 

 After all the glue is off, use the mascara brush to get off any left over mascara on the lashes. I really didn't have to use mascara after I put the lashes on.

Finally, let dry and store in their box. All done! I hope you found this useful. Leave a comment to let me know what else you'd like to read about! Besos!

'Merica Reversible Swimsuit

This was an extremely fun project that I made for one of my friends. I thought it would be easier than it turned out to be. The problem wasn't the sewing. It was making it reversible and seamless at the same time. To this day I don't know how to make a Speedo bottom reversible without having to cut it at the crotch. :/

 Here's  my mess when I was making the design. I elected to make one side red in front, blue in the back, and white on the side with gold accents in the waist band. The other side is all gold (front and back) with white on the sides. Making the patterns took the most time out of everything. I didn't have Josh there to get all his measurements, but I knew he was a size 32 waist.  So... I had to get creative from there.  I used pictures from the internet and some whitey-tighties to somehow make a pattern. And then change the pattern. And change it again. And again. Until I finally had it right. The photos below are of the work in progress. I only have the sides sewn here. 

This is where things got complicated.  Everything is sewn up except for the elastic in the leg holes.  Okay. Easy right? Well, I got the one leg hole done beautifully. Perfectly ruched with the right amount of swimsuit elastic. I turned the right sides together again to do the other leg hole. Again, perfectly executed. I went to turn the swim suit right side out and I had some how created a tesseract in which it was a never-ending time warping connection of fabric.  Don't ask how it happened. I was perplexed for over half an hour wondering how I could fix it. Always sew right sides together, right??? I guess not when it comes to reversible Speedos. Anyways, took that out and had to cut at the crotch. Sew everything up again and violá! 
Anyways, it actually fit Josh and he enjoyed it for his pool party. I enjoyed the challenge. And the party. :)

Business women pack spare heels for those long days in heels

Some advice on business wear. What to do. What not to do. And oh gosh, please take that off right now.
I've had several years of having to dress in business formal attire and I know what works and what doesn't. High-school and college students seem to have a problem with this. For as many times as we've heard buy a blazer and some suit pants, girls seem to think that lycra skirts are still acceptable and guys think that their suit pants should still sag. STOP.

I recently attended a DECA Marketing conference and had to give several presentations during midterms during the past weeks. (my excuses for not posting, sorry.) Let me just recount some of my experiences

•  Pantyhose are still acceptable and preferred. Let me be clear, everyone's legs look better with pantyhose.  That's what they're for. And if you look at pantyhose as another accessory, they are just one more great addition to your outfit. And a note about fishnets... I have no problem with fishnets, as long as they are tastefully black or nude and not extremely noticeable.  Unless, you are role-playing a sexy secretary, big-ole fishnets are not cool. 
• Closed toe shoes are a must. This isn't time for a summer picnic where you wear your platform sandals. Pumps are the most appropriate. And I know the question will arise, what about a peep toe??? Well, okay fine. Wear the peep-toe, but in all honesty, that went out of style like 2 years ago. 
• Guys, patterned shirts are your new best friend. Wear a checkered print or a gingham, mix and match with paisley or other prints.  You really can't go wrong unless it's flannel or wrinkled. 
• Speaking of button-down shirts... Ladies, denim shirts do NOT count as a button down business shirt.  I know they were all the rage the past two years, but they still are not business wear. Pick something that covers and that will suffice.  Nothing with words or phrases on it either.  
• Lycra skirts are not business wear! Wear those to the club all you want but your skirt should hit only a few inches above the knee! Not a few inches below your butt. Again, if you want to role-play the sexy secretary with your sig other go for it, just don't actually think that you can wear that. 
• DO wear nice jewelry.  Pearls are a favorite of mine.  They go with almost everything and will always have a prestigious aire to them. 
• Mix it up. Pants suits serve a purpose, but mix it up from time to time with bright shirts, long skirts, brightly colored pumps (not all at once) will show you're confident, appropriate, and well dressed. 

Below I have a picture of an outfit that I used to judge at the conference.  The skirt is mid calf length with a slit up to the knee in the back.  It with the Tommy Hilfiger shirt are a perfect combo of traditional and out of the ordinary for a business outfit. You can hype this look on Lookbook! Besos!

Your next look under $20!

This whole outfit for less than $20!

As I've mentioned before, I love a good bargain, but that doesn't mean that I sacrifice looking by best.  This outfit is really comfortable but punk. Here's the break down:

Pashmina scarf - Boscov's for $4.99
Coincidence and Chance sweater with elbow patches - Goodwill store for $4.95  (Similar sweater at retail prices)
Army green straight cut pants - hand-me-down. (S/O to Lindsay)
Army issue dress lace up boots- yard sale for $5.
4 wooden bangles - Macy's on sale for $2.50

Grand total! $17.44! 

I love this look, but I would love to hear how you would change it up! Let me know in the comments. Check out my Lookbook, too!
Hype this look!

Get her look, for way less: Cara Delevingne

Look, let me set this straight... I love fashion. I love the evolution of fashion.  I love the innovation in fashion. I hate the overpriced branding of fashion.  I love taking trends and making them accessible for everyone.  So, I love the segments in fashion mags that show what a celebrity is wear and how you can get that look. Unfortunately, depending on the magazine, even the "regularly priced" items are too expensive for me... (#collegekidprobs) So, I have created my own segment. Enjoy!

Ahhh Miss Cara Delevingne. If not currently, she will be the world's top model in a matter of a very short time. This is a stunning look that she wore to an event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Of course, this jumpsuit probably cost her hundreds, but you can get the same look for much less. 

This, is a plunging neck-line, sleeveless jumpsuit similar to Cara's but for the grand total of $27.00 with shipping. I found this on eBay.  Just search in Google "black jumpsuit" and you will find thousands of options that are all very flattering. This is the closest model I could find that was under $50. (http://bit.ly/1f1Tb5r) Now for the accessories...

Maurice's link belt: $15.00 (http://bit.ly/1iCuIat)

Modcloth $24.99 (http://bit.ly/1f1V3Lo)

Finally, for the shoes, almost any black pump will do the trick, but feel free to mix it up with bright colors or even crazy patterns.  I found really reasonable black pumps:

These beauties can be bought for $46.99 at Milanoo.com (http://bit.ly/1f1VXYn)

So if you don't have black pumps at home, and want to buy the whole look, your total will be: $115.98.  The best part about this outfit is that it actually can be used in different ways.  Want to cover up? Add a fluffy and colorful scarf. Want to go more gutsy? Try wearing a button up shirt underneath. Get creative but don't ever think that you can't afford fashion. 

LORAC "Take a Brow"

I've never been one to mess with my eyebrows when it comes to makeup; mostly because I have terribly shaped eyebrows no matter where I go or who does them for me, so I try to not accentuate that fact. I got  brave yesterday and I went and bought LORAC's "Take a Brow" eyebrow kit from Sephora.

 When I was in the store, there were three shades to choose from: Blonde, Brunette, and Dark Brown.  As you can see in the pictures, I do possess dark brown hair, but when I opened the corresponding brow kit, it had a coffee color and an almost black color along with the brow wax.  I was being brave, but not that brave.  When I have ventured into trying brow pencils before, I always felt like my eyebrows were the only thing you could see on my face, so I am still a little cautious.  I opted for the brunette kit which had a light brown and coffee colored option along with the brow wax.

I used the light brown in the following picture.  You can see the before and after.  I used tips from Makeup.com (Link: http://www.makeup.com/fill-brows-how-to/) to help me get it right (I'll still need practice and time to experiment). The kit included a mini angled brush, but I used my own larger one.  The pigment was just that, packed dry pigment.  I don't know why but I was expecting something creamier.  This just means that this brow kit will probably last me forever because I used so very little. (Bonus!) After putting on the light brown in the areas that are lacking, I applied the wax and viola! When I looked in the mirror, I still felt like all I could notice were my eyebrows, but when I look at the before and after pics, I definitely see the need for filling in my eyebrows.  I actually have a semi-shape to my eyebrows after using this. Thanks LORAC! 

4-IN-1 HANDMADE BIKINI

When my boyfriend and I went to Cancún I obviously needed a new swim suit. (What girl doesn't want a new bikini every year??) I couldn't find a Brazilian bikini anywhere in the U.S. and the prices online were outrageous! ($65+) So I decided to make my own for a grand total of $10 plus a few hours at the sewing machine.  I am the queen of multi-use clothing, so of course my swim suit is 100% reversible.

I wasn't just going to make a regular reversible bikini.  I made one that can become a bandeau as well. (As pictured.) When I was playing beach volleyball, I tied the straps around my neck and I had no slipage the entire 3 games. I was very impressed.

I loved the patterned lycra that I found to make this bikini! It was just gorgeous.  

If anyone is interested in having me make them a bikini, I would be happy to do it! I really enjoyed making this one and I plan on buying plenty of fabric to make more and more styles. I plan on making everything reversible if possible so that I (or you...) can mix and match the pieces.  

Cuando mi novio y yo fuimos a Cancún, obviamente yo necesitaba un nuevo bikini. (Cuál chica no siempre necesita uno nuevo?) Encontrar un binkini Brasileño en EEUU fue imposible y del internet salían carísimos! ($65+) Entonces, decidí hacer uno yo mismo al sumo de $10 y unas horas frente de la maquina de coser. Soy la reina de prendas multi-usas así que este bikini es 100% reversible.

No iba a hacer cualquier bikini reversible, no no no... Tenía que poder transformar a un bandeau tambien (como está en las fotos).  Para jugar volei de arena, atajé los cordones atrás del cuello y se quedó quieto por tres partido sin problemitas. Yo estaba bastante impresionada con eso.

Me encanta la entampa que tiene esta tela! Es muy bonito.

Si alguién está intesada en que le haga yo un bikini, yo sería maz que feliz por hacerlo. Realmente disfruté coser este bikini y planeo en comprar mucha tela para hacer más así y también de más estilos. Ojalá que todo sea reversible si posible para que yo pueda (o vos puedas) mexclar la piezas. Besitos!