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Outwear Wishlist - a lover of coats

I’m going to be frank here. Among the few reason I like winter the layering factor and all the cute outwear I get to wear are key. I’m the girl that always thinks “Oh crap, not this shit again!” once faced with the winter wonderland everybody seems to love so much.

And I really, really don’t like winter at all. It’s uncomfortable and so cold you can’t get warm even if you wear a polar bear around your neck at all times. Not to mention the slippery factor – all that ice is a permanent accident waiting to happen. I would fast forward it entirely if possible.

 

The bright light at the end of the white, freezing tunnel is my long love affair with winter coats, jackets and wraps.

Despite the cold, I do enjoy getting to wear all my jackets, trenches and parkas as much as I want. I do find some small satisfaction in the fact that if I really have to freeze my ass off, I can, at least, do it in style.

Some of my favorite outwear pieces: leather jacket, yellow embossed trench, fabric roses bolero, brown fur and leather jacket

Right about now I feel an itch to add some more outwear pieces to my collection and I start hunting to take the edge off.

First on my list is something sporty chic to either go with casual looks or contrast with really feminine outfits. I like a few models from Lole that I think would make everything better on my daily trips to work when all I can think of is: Why God, why me? 

 

 I would also really, really like to have something like this. Looks awesome!!!

 

I've also been looking for the perfect black and white geometrical print coat. Of course, the greatest find would be a long, bubblegum pink coat to sweeten the cold winter days.

But I do have to give winter credit this year: it didn’t snow yet, the temperature were kind of bearable and hopefully until it shows it’s true face again, because you know it will, I will manage to get my hands on some goodies to make the cold go away.

In the meantime, let’s hope for unnatural warm weather so I can go on living peacefully.

How's your coat game? Do you like winter?

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Holiday Makeup Resolution

This year went by so fast - I can hardly believe December is already here. Since I’ve been working so hard, I want to take it easy this month, enjoy the party season and go out more. 

Dressing up comes natural to me, but due to my line of work I’ve actually become more and more interested in makeup and beauty too. That and the fact I’m getting older I guess.

It’s not like I don’t know how to wear makeup - I can do a mean cat eye in my sleep. The problem is I have a few everyday makeup looks that I always use and never really try anything different. I collected a ton of brushes, color pallets, blushes, lipsticks that I don’t even use all that much.

With the Holidays approaching fast I really want to try some new looks and go full glam. The two main problems are: the lack of time and my inability to decide what looks to go for. 

Not to mention there’s a different approach to putting on makeup every day for work, running errands and casually getting together with your friends and then getting ready for the office party at the end of the year or even more glamorous situations. For those who dabble extensively in makeup tutorials and products, knowing what to wear can be simple (just like I find it super easy to put together a really cool outfit in minutes). But what if makeup isn’t your cup of tea?

Really understanding the difference between looking natural and fresh for a family dinner and creating a striking look for New Year’s Eve is a matter of practice. Knowing to use makeup in your favor can be actually empowering. 

It’s all about skills and thankfully skills can be learned. It’s just a matter of practice and even beginners can get amazing results with their hair and makeup. Unless you want to be a doctor, you can pretty much become an expert by teaching yourself – that’s the beauty of internet – you can just Google it.

I rely heavily on my Pinterest boards and You Tube videos for inspiration. What colors should I use for a cool smokey eye and how can I apply and blend them to get the perfect result? What shade of lipstick would be better with that and my skin complexion? What hairstyle should I wear with my new glittery dress? Should I wear my hair in loose curls, try and updo, do some braids?

I find infographics very helpful when choosing a look to try out. The one below is one of the best when it comes to what makeup looks to wear for tthe Holidays and which are suitable for casual settings or more formal affairs.

Angelic Faces: Holiday Makeup Looks Infographic Provided by TEMPTU

Are you guys into makeup or not really? Are you any good when it comes to applying it?

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Halloween 2015: The Force Awoke

This year I took the time again to devote myself to making some killer costumes. We are all excited for Episode 7 to come out, so we decided to throw back to Episode 4 for Halloween.

For previous Halloween Posts, see:
Halloween 2009: Where the Wild Things Are
Halloween 2010: UP
Halloween 2011: Deep in the Hundred Acre Wood
Halloween 2012: A World of Pure Imagination
Halloween 2013: I've Got No Strings

Han's costume was made by referencing photos from the movie and altering existing clothing and accessories to match. For Princess Leia, I referenced this and this. 

Baby Chewie was made by tweaking simple pants, shirt, and hood patterns. 

For Darth Vader's costume, he wore black clothes, boots, and gloves (women's vintage leather), and I made these accessories for him. We bought the Official Mask/Helmet and lightsaber (because I didn't feel like DIYing these items.

For Luke, I made the gi found here. His shoes we just shoes covered with fabric with long tails that I could wrap around up his legs over his pants and safety pin at the top. 

May the force be with you this Halloween!

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When time stood still

I can’t point the exact moment time actually became something I had to manage and stress about, but it did. I don’t remember feeling the pressure of time as I do now ever before: there was always plenty of it to just waste without any regrets.

It was never too late for anything. Sometimes I just want to go back to that state of mind.

This gorgeous wood watch sent to me by Jord watches made me think about time and how it seems to expand or contract depending on the way we feel. I love that feeling when I’m really happy and grateful for being in a beautiful place, for meeting someone really amazing, for finding a great song and listening to it in a loop for hours, those moments when time seems patient and almost liquid, when it feels I live in a pastel colored, slow motion movie. 

 

And this watch makes me want to capture that peace of mind even if it’s going to be short lived. I usually like to pile on the jewelry, but this time around I felt that my Cora series watch made out of KOA wood and rose gold was enough.  

I can honestly say this watch is one of the most beautiful accessories I have to date. Since I’m the psychotic owner of a huge collection of jewelry, that’s really saying something.

I’m crazy about the idea of a wooden watch that looks like a high end designer watch, but was created with sustainability, efficiency, and experimental living in mind. It kind of goes with me – I’m drawn to retro and vintage design mixed into the modern world we live in.

I can’t help but mention how amazing of a customer service Jord watches has. Rarely have I had such a smooth communication with a brand - thank you, Dan for making this such a pleasant collaboration. Usually working with stores and brands can be challenging, but this time it was easy and enjoyable. They will even customize the size of your watch bracelet to fit your wrist perfectly.

I can’t possibly express how amazing this watch really is so I’m leaving you with a bunch of photos I took that do it more justice than words could ever do. 

 Remember the last time I wore this dress? I like my drama queen moments, that's for sure!

 How cool is that it comes in a wooden jewelry box as well?

Do you ever wear watches? Do you wear them just for utility or as an accessory too?

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  Watch Gift Ideas


 

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Pastel pink hair – Sakura backdrop

These are probably the most unusual photos I have ever taken. I always wanted to try a colorful wig on, so when I had the opportunity, I chose one in pastel pink. I tried a dramatic, Arabian inspired eye makeup for the sake of contrast, but looking back, it probably wasn’t the best decision. The outfit however, I feel, works well with everything.

 Since the price was very low and the wig was synthetic, I didn’t really expect that much.

Once I got it, I was very surprised the hair looked very “real”, especially considering the color I chose. You know I have a few sets of natural hair extensions so I was able to make an informed comparison. The hair strands on this wig mimic the way natural hair looks very well and it doesn’t have the fake synthetic shine these type of wigs usually do. It does have plenty of hair, but it gets a bit thinner toward the ends which actually helps with the natural look too.

On the other hand, the wig cap is made for Asiatic heads so it was a real struggle to fit it on my medium sized, European head. If I want to suffer like that, I can always try to put my skinny jeans on, thank you very much! 

 
It has and adjustable strap at the back that I didn’t need for obvious reasons. Good thing the cap was elastic; otherwise I couldn’t have worn it. The hair tangles a lot, so don’t throw it in a heap in a corner because it’s going to be very hard to get it back to the way it first looked. Trying to brush it, will affect the pretty loose curls the wigs comes with. Brushing will also result in a lot of shedding as I learned the hard way. Instead, you can gently comb it with your fingers to get it the shape you want.

Although having a bang doesn’t really suit me, I went for a wig that has one because I thought it would be easier to hide my hair line behind it. And I was right about that. Still, it’s pretty hard to style, but not impossible with a little bit of patience. As you can see, I tried three different styles: a side ponytail, a cute bun and just leaving the wig as it was without attempting anything crazy. You can’t really wear your hair up with this wig, but “low hanging” hairstyles can be achieved.

Weighting the pro and cons, this is my verdict regarding this wig: Considering how cheap it is, I would definitely recommend it. It’s great for photo-shoots and themed parties, cosplay, Halloween and even a festival or concert (but you’ll have to make sure and secure it on your head the best way you can).

The necklace is from the same store and it’s incredibly cute and well made – I don’t have anything negative to say about it. I loved the color combination when I first saw it and it does look exactly the same or even better in reality.

Disclaimer – The wig and necklace were sent to me as a gift. This is my honest, unbiased opinion about them.

gifs: 1, 2

 Please let me know if you like Sara’s edit for this photos – she said they needed a Sakura inspired background and I can’t disagree. 

 I’m wearing:

pink wig / peruca - here

necklace / colier - here

  dress, belt / rochie, curea - vintage

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Pin up look using a 50s style little black dress

I was thinking that I should really drive my incipient hoarding tendencies into something more constructive for my wardrobe. Maybe instead of hundreds of rings and really, really impractical shoes, I should start building a great collection of little black dresses.

For someone with so many clothes, I have very few of those. And the one I’m wearing in this photos is the most recent addition to the madness that is my closet.

I just got it from an alternative clothing store from UK that’s technically specialized in Gothic clothing, but has so much amazing stuff, it was hard to choose just one dress. Well, I did get a blue hair dye too – I’m planning something epic for my hair – DIY article coming soon.

I think this dress might just be the perfect casual little black dress for summer. It’s 98% cotton, very airy and has the most adorable details: slightly puffy shoulders, a true sweetheart neckline, 3/4 quarter sleeves, a bow detail at the back and a classic 50s silhouette with a fitted waist and flared skirt. Scored!!!

The moment I got the package (it arrived in about a week), I could hear this dress begging for a pin up look and I like to listen when my clothes talk to me.:)))) Besides, it’s been a while since I channeled my inner pin up, so here I am: hair scarf and bold lipstick included.

This is the way the dress was styled on the site and I like it a lot. I have to find a petticoat and try this version as well. As you can see it would be longer for somebody that's not as tall as I am, but other than that is supper flattering for any silhouette and height. I think it would look nice for plus size girls as well - it just has that cut that looks amazing on anyone.

And then there’s the statement necklace – I love myself some serious rhinestone action resting on my boobs. It was sent to me by a German online store called Happiness Boutique and it’s glorious. I absolutely love the mix of silver chains and clear rhinestones and how long it is. They have amazing customer care, free shipping worldwide and the necklace came very fast and nicely packaged. If you’re ordering from Europe, you won’t have to deal with the custom and they also have a customer reward program that you can take advantage of.

This time I didn't went with the classic red lipstick - a staple for pinup makeup. Instead  I chose a dark plum (it's from Dior - color 862, Hypnotic Red).

How big is your little black dresses' collection? Do you stack up on anything else?

I’m wearing:

pumps, epic belt / pantofi, curea - Asos

little black dress / rochie neagra - Kate's Clothing

heart bag, head scarf / geanta, esarfa par - random brand

statement necklace / colier statement - Happiness Boutique

lipstick / ruj - Dior Haute Couleur Voluptuous, no.862 Hypnotic Red

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