No-Shower Sunday

A few years ago, some friends of mine coined the phrase "No-Shower Sunday." Although I'm pretty sure we all needed to shower, it was a title that stuck with me. Today's post is dedicated to the style that is characterized by the best - and most relaxed - day of the week (in my opinion).

It's up to you if you want to incorporate the no-shower part. Happy Sunday!

Top (from left to right) Toms, Laugh Cry Repeat, Ralph Lauren

Bottom (left to right) Laugh Cry Repeat, Aasics, T-Shirt

Bridal Makeup

I love doing bridal makeup.  As a makeup artist, I am one of the only people who gets an entire hour (more or less) with the bride on her big day.  When she's in my chair, she doesn't have to be anywhere else and she knows it.  I like giving brides this opportunity to become centered - mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally - amid the hustle and bustle of wedding-day activities.

The key to great bridal makeup, in my experience, is letting the bride look like herself!  I like to use an airbrush method for foundation because I feel it achieves the most natural-looking appearance.  When lightly applied, this method evens out skin tone without covering freckles or moles, which are the bride's unique and endearing features.  (However, if the bride covers these features on a daily basis, it will be important to use an application method that achieves greater coverage)

Most brides want to appear as though they are wearing just a little more makeup than usual.  This is achieved by using warm or neutral tones (brown, cream, pink, apricot).  These colors work great for any time of day or night and are universally flattering.  When in doubt, choose tones that are close to your natural skin-color.  Instead of eyeliner, I line the eyes with an angled brush and a powder (espresso or dark brown usually).  This helps the eyes pop without looking too dramatic.  Since the color will be heaviest on the area of skin where you first place the brush, start from the outside of the eye and line inwards.  Once you have lined them, gently sweep over the line with a clean eyeshadow brush to blend.

Weddings that are later in the evening require a slightly bolder makeup style (to show up in pictures under the flash of a camera), so these brides can go for glamour if they want!  I'm always happy to help a bride achieve the look she desires on her special day.  Feel free to contact me at ave42designs@gmail.com if you'd like to discuss your wedding-day makeup.



 

More than just a pair of shoes...

Hello, everyone. Please allow me to introduce you to the most amazing pair of shoes I've seen in a long, long time. When I found these, I immediately had the thought "I'm in love with these shoes. I am actually head over heels in love with footwear... is that bad?"

"Of course not!" my head answers back. Oh, sweet, sweet rationalization.

BCBG Max Azria has just taken the mary jane to an entirely new world. I've always said a persons' shoes say the most about his or her personality... If only we viewed shoes like handshakes in determining personality types... Sigh.

Quick story: I was interviewing individuals for a professional project and the budget was high (in my opinion) so I was being careful to evaluate every detail of each prospective candidate. Before an interview with a particular candidate, I had a chance to review his work and found it to be truly impressive. However, the person who greeted me at the interview session was wearing black slacks and extremely old soccer sandals with his toes fully exposed, if not falling off the front. I took one look at those toes and thought to myself "Absolutely not."

I know my decision not to hire this man could be seen as harsh, but I don't think so. He and I are on two totally different planets with respect to professionalism, and I'm just glad I found out sooner rather than later.

This is my message: Dress your feet (and everything else) wisely... They are more than just a pair of shoes to the rest of the world.

Anti-Cardigan Manifesto

First, let me say this:  I am aware that I live in the capital of what was once the Confederacy.  I am also aware that Virginia is a "commercial" market, which is just a nice way of labeling us "preppy."

I have nothing against preppy style or "Americana" as it is called in the industry; in fact, I am wearing a button-up oxford, jeans, and distressed brown boots at this very moment!

I do, however, take issue with the cardigan.  Last night I eagerly flipped through the Nordstrom spring catalogue.  The stylists' theme for the shoot was inspired by a vision of an art curator, and I was intrigued by their interpretations... that is, until I came to the page of cardigans.

I do realize that the stylists did not design the cardigans, and were just doing their jobs of showcasing upcoming styles for spring.  It would have been very difficult for me to get excited about more cardigans... I mean, really?  I didn't have time to write this post last night as I had an appointment with my hair stylist.  I expressed my concern to Meriel and she replied "Oh, I love cardigans!"

I sunk down in my chair.

But today I still abhor cardigans.

This is why:

Women in real life rarely look attractive in cardigans.  Sorry, Meriel.  In my experience, anyone who wears more than a B-cup is too big for a cardigan!  If you're like me, you're at risk of blinding a passerby with a projectile button...  and if not, these tiny little buttons are dangling from their threads after one or two wears because you are constantly tugging at them to remain closed - or pinning the gaps between - in hopes of concealing the huge spaces between the tiny little buttons.

And then there is always the idea of wearing it undone over a blouse, but that just brings back memories of The Limited era and matching sweater-sets.  NO!

I will try to remain open-minded and welcome the opinions of others on this matter.  Right now, however, my advice to Richmond women is:  "It may be pretty, it may have a fancy neckline, but it is still a cardigan and you can do better."

(I do have a cardigan from anthropologie in a post on this blog, but it has no buttons and is more like a shaw, so don't judge me!)  :-)

Makeup Style of the Week 2/12/2010

Cate Blanchett is our winner this week. I love this flawless skin accented by a honey-apricot blush. It brings out the low-lights in her hair and gives her an altogether youthful, radiant appearance.

Warm shades are essential to looking young! Try a peach shade on the apple of your cheeks (when you smile, the apple of your cheek is the round area that forms above your dimples).

*Trick- take the brush and gently sweep it across your hairline after you have applied the blush to your cheeks. This warms up the face and is more subdued than bronzer.

Postpartum Fashion - It's all about details!

Asymmetrical styles are the curvy woman's friend. They disguise the things you don't want to be seen, and structure the natural lines of a woman's figure - a ratio that is universally appealing. Women who have just given birth tend to be most self-conscious of their mid-sections, but they are TIRED of looking pregnant. So, where is the happy medium? Today's look is a really clean, simple example of how postpartum fashion is possible!

Take a solid top with some slight detailing, such as ruffling or an asymmetrical fit like the ones above from Need Supply. Pair them with a dark legging or dark wash jean. For those of us who have a butt, I love the "Honey Booty Curvy" jean by Joe's Jeans. Write that down! You definitely want those in your closet.

There is no sense in buying a whole new wardrobe. I suggest getting some simple pieces that can be mixed, matched, and layered; however, this is your chance to go get some really fun shoes and accessories! The boots above are by Steve Madden and I love the red zipper detailing in the back. Have fun with this. Pay attention to the details!

If you need help translating your personal style into a wardrobe that works, I can help! Email me at ave42designs@gmail.com

This post also appears on Late Enough 

Lacing up with Leather

A little leather strip as thin as a shoelace can be your new favorite belt.

I love the way thin belts like these can turn cocktail dresses into day-wear. Grab your tweed blazer and you're ready for work.  So, go ahead- break out your party-dress!

Tip: Try focusing on texture as opposed to color (like the silk and leather shown here). It's a smart way to freshen up an exhausted wardrobe during the final weeks of a season.

Feminine Mystique

The model in this photo, Alexa Chung, has style I truly admire. She has a way of making lace look cool when others resemble "American Girl" dolls. (That's right, I'm talking about Samantha, Felicity, Molly, ... is there another one?)

Alexa's style feels fresh and new, yet has an Audrey Hepburn quality that makes it irresistible. I'm sure it doesn't hurt to have those killer legs either...

To recreate this style, check out a vintage shop. I was recenlty in Bygones

in Richmond where I stumbled upon a great vintage (never-worn) shoe collection and some amazing 1920's dresses with detailing similar to the lace featured in this inspiration board. Better yet, each were under $70!

I'm ready for a wardrobe revival, are you?

(top and shoes by anthropologie; dress and ring by modcloth; necklace by friedasophie)