While, when going out, you’ll likely see me in something that has a decent balance of draped vs. skin-bearing, were I to have more opportunities to wear more ladylike items (not necessarily appropriate for dive bars [though, my philosophy clearly states that anything is appropriate for anywhere]…), I might be inclined to don something a little more… old-fashioned. Like a long-sleeved, below-the-knee, nipped-waist dress.

Dowdy?

Matronly?

You tell me.

Photo courtesy Huffington Post

Oh, yes, hello.

I saw this in my inbox this morning (it was Style.com’s Look Of The Day), and just gawked at it. It’s… so… proper. And so… long – both in arms and skirt. So… high-neckline…d?

BUT SHE LOOKS AMAZING.

So now I’m crazy over these “dowdy” dresses with all the skin coverage in the world and no draping. Kind of a change. It goes against all of the ~*rules (curses to you, What Not To Wear!) about proportion and balance… If you have a high hemline, minimize skin up top, and if you have a longer hemline, bare your arms more. PISH POSH is what I say to that.

Unfortunately, finding a dress with a) these proportions, b) this much fabric with c) this much structure is probably not going to be terribly affordable. So. We may have to compromise on the full double-length aspect of this and go for a more conventional proportion… At least when it comes to dresses. You can also totally do this by pairing a long-sleeve top with a longer skirt and adding a belt.

But that’s, like, so much work.

Here’s what I dug up.

Bailey44 Mary Goodnight Dress $165

It’s a little form-fitting, but I love the idea of adding a colorful lace slip underneath, and a grey belt at the waist. (Especially with the “black” version, and there’s a stripey one, too.)

ModCloth I’ve Got The Blues Dress $44.99

Belt, again. Slight petticoat action, maybe? What do you think?

Tarmanuda Dress $135

The dress to end all dresses. (Upon sending it to Jen, she says: “I want to spend a week in it. Preferably at least half of that week cuddling with something or someone.”)

Coast Jessica Ruched Dress $143.23

Massive color – could totally work (especially on a girl with a little extra, knowwhatI’msayin’?).

The nice thing about a style like this is that, no matter how you feel about your body on the day you rock this look, people will always think, “Damn. That is one demure bitch.” before even noticing your figure. It screams elegance, and I am way down with that.

Technorati Tags: 3/4 dress, jessica alba, long dress, long sleeves

It’s Jen! Lindsay’s bestie, co-Demoiselle, and author of the socially-conscious fashion blog, Awakened Aesthetic. You might have noticed that our blogs are getting cuddly – I’ll remove this text after we get to know each other!

As I read Lindsay’s Multi Eyeliner Review Saga, I was overcome with a sudden urge.  I needed new eyeliner.  I needed not-black eyeliner.  I needed awesome eyeliner.

Not only did I need New, Not Black Awesome Eyeliner, but I also needed it to be Not in Stick Form.  My two everyday liners are pretty cool in their own right (for reference, they’re Stila Convertible Eye Color and Kajal Eye Liner) but they do have their drawbacks – mostly that they’re so…normal.  And stick-like.

When I get into this kind of impulse-buying frenzy, nothing really stops me.  So when I was next at my local Rite Aid, I steered myself toward the makeup isle.

My choice: Loreal HiP Studio Secrets Kohl Liner.  (HiP stands for High Intensity Pigments.  Not something your mother would say.)  It’s only $13.00, and I bought it in teal.

Speaking of teal, Lindsay mentioned that though she liked the Smashbox Masquerade Liquid Eyeliner and Lash Overlay, she didn’t buy it because…

“…there are only two shades – a bronze and a teal. While they’re likely very gorgeous on, I’m looking for something a little more everyday and a little less faaaabulouuuuuus!, you know?”

Instead, she wanted purple.

Oh, Blue Eyed Bestie, I hate to break it to you, but for us hazel-eyed girls (and brown- and gray-eyed girls) purple’s the faaaabulouuuuuus one.  Teal, on the other hand, is subtle and classy and “everyday.”

Well, sort of.

It’s bold, but not insane, you know?  I can wear it to the office with neutral shadow and a pencil skirt without feeling like I live in an eighties movie, but I can also wear it our to drinks with platforms and feel superior to all those black liner girls.  (I live in Seattle – we’re all a little superior.)

But that’s not the cool part.  The cool part is that this stuff does not run. Hell, it doesn’t even wipe.

Full hand-on-eye action.

Check out my hand.  See the sparkles?  That’s my eyeshadow.  See the green?  No, you don’t, because it didn’t wipe off.

I’ve never had an eyeliner do that (not do that?) before.

The one thing that sucks about Loreal’s HiP kohl liner – and pretty much any powder liner – is that until you’re a pro, you’ll often get dusted with powder in places you wish you hadn’t.  And because it stays on so well, you’ll need a Q-tip and remover (or oil, or spit) to get it off.  The first time I wore it, I had to reapply most of my tinted moisturizer after finishing my eyes.

But I’d rather have to reapply my foundation once than touch up shifting eye liner ten times throughout the day.

Technorati Tags: cosmetics, eye makeup, eyeliner, hip, kohl, loreal, makeup, powder eyeliner, review, smashbox, urban decay

A while ago, I bought a “kit” by Bourjois Paris from BeautyTicket. Within this magical kit was a beautiful violet wet/dry shadow, a lavender creme eyeshadow, cute and tiny mascara, and the most epic, amazing liquid eyeliner I have ever used – Bourjois Paris Liner Princeau in Prune.

I have a strong tendency to become obsessed with products by Bourjois Paris. First, it was their Praline Lip Stain (I found it, by the way. As soon as I got home, I looked on a random bookshelf and saw its little red butt sticking out. There was screaming.), then this deep purple, bold, smooth, gorgeous liner.

Needless to say, I used it every day. Rarely a day went by where I didn’t find myself looking for that little tiny tube encasing that little tiny brush (brush is very important here – not a felt tip, not a stick – a fine-tipped brush) that made definition and highlighting so easy and saucy.

Now, there’s another aspect to the Bourjois Paris eyeliner that’s worth mentioning – it was my first liquid eyeliner ever. EVER. Ever.  I expected the learning curve for such a mistake-prone and wielding product to be much steeper than it was. Sure, I learned that too-thick lines make you look like a Kewpie doll and too thin lines are a waste of meticulous, lip-biting time… But I never once did the “EFF THIS, I’m wiping this shit off” move after a failed application.

I’m not really sure how long a tube (bottle?) of liquid eyeliner is supposed to last… But mine was kaput in about 5 months – is that normal? I don’t know. Either way, I miss it horribly and have since been on the search for the perfect liquid liner.

The first one I ventured to try was a laugh. A LAUGH, I tell you. Why did I even bother, I don’t know. Some people have amazing results with Wet’n'Wild Liquid Eyeliner and swear by it. I am not one of those people, as the most I did was swear at it.

It’s like $1.99, and it’s not worth any of those 199 pennies. Maybe three. But certainly no more than that.

That experience was full of application -> mistake -> try to smudge off -> make look horrible -> more vigorous eye-rubbing -> massive string of profanities -> attempt to wash off -> Why did I buy waterproof?

Not good.

My next attempt, I decided, would be educated. I looked online for the best liquid liners and heard really great things about Revlon’s ColorStay Eyeliner Pen. I’ve always been intrigued by the whole pen idea – yes, I was a major “draw on yourself”-kid. I fully hold this aspect of my personality responsible for this entire experience.

I ripped open the package as soon as I got home from the store. OOOH, A PEN! FOR MY FACE! I stared at the sculpted felt tip at the end and imagined how smoothly it would glide. I pictured the inky black that would make my eyelashes look like they were made of well-groomed shag carpeting (a coveted look, I’m sure). I ran to the mirror, and ran the tip across my lash line.

What the f…

What I saw when I refocused my vision was a jagged, semi-transparent line with breaks where my no-longer-13-years-old eyelid had been pulled. Gross. Toss.

Okay, retrieve from garbage can and place into makeup bag in case of emergency backup needs. In order to use this pen effectively, you have to do the whole eyelid-stretch thing which I really hate because it prevents you from really being able to stylize a line, and also because, hi, it’s uncomfortable.

FINE, I exclaim to myself. I’m going to spend real dollars on a real eyeliner from a real cosmetics company (no offense Revlon – Wet’n'Wild, quit denying the truth).

I got up early yesterday morning, dropped boyfriend off at work, and headed straight for Ulta. I had no idea what brands I was looking for, I was just a cosmetically scorned bitch on a mission.

WHAT CAN YOU HELP ME FIND? OH, I’LL TELL YOU WHAT YOU CAN HELP ME FIND. A F—ING EYELINER THAT ISN’T A PIECE OF SHIT, BUDDY!

Ok, I didn’t really go that far – I was quite lovely, really, if I do say so myself. I told the adorable sales dude that I wanted a pigment-y liquid liner that had a thin, brush applicator – no felt, no sticks, no funny business – just a brush. First, he says “We have one.” He leads me to Urban Decay’s Liquid Liner in those pretty, pretty bottles.

The only thing I’ve heard about this particular product is actually bottle-related. Toward the end of the product’s lifespan, it becomes very hard to dig the remaining product out of the strangely-shaped bottle. For $18, I’d better get to use as much of this puppy as possible. However, the number of available colors was impressive, and I even spotted one that was similar to my precious Prune from Bourjois.

Salescutie then remembers – Oh! Actually, he has two more with brush tips to show me. OPTIONS ARE SEXY!

He reached for Too Faced Metal Eyed Liquid Liner. He makes  Mr. Yuck face while opening the tester. As he puts a line on the back of his hand, he says “We don’t like this one.” Oh, we don’t? “No, you almost, like, have to wear two eyeliners in order to get that bold line – see how it’s kind of jagged and transparent.”

…Ok, we don’t like that one. I’m not paying $17.50 for something that going to make me violent.

The last one he showed me was awfully tempting. Smashbox’s Masquerade Liquid Eyeliner & Lash Overlay ($19) was cutie-sales-guy’s favorite.

After sheepishly asking what a “lash overlay” was, he explained that each liner brush has ridges on the stick part (so technical) that allows you to use the liner fluid on your lashes, over mascara. “The bronze is bbeeaauuuuuutifuuuuuuuul“, he says.

Photo from MakeupAndBeautyBlog

Because they’re seasonal, there are only two shades – a bronze and a teal. While they’re likely very gorgeous on, I’m looking for something a little more everyday and a little less faaaabulouuuuuus!, you know?

So it was decision time. After testing all of the liners on my own hands, I went with the Urban Decay Liquid Liner in Crash – which is a deep, aubergine-purple. After checking out all of the available colors (MANY.), it was the closest I could find to my previous Prune. $18 later, it was mine, and I ran to my house (car) to put it on. It glides so smoothly, there are no icky creases or ugly, jagged lines. The tip was perfect and tapered and narrow… I did have to pull out a stray bristle, though.

I feel obligated to mention a touch of buyer’s remorse, though. Once driving, I kept staring at the super-inky, dark, bold black line on the back of my hand – Perversion by Urban Decay. Ugh, the line is so clear, thick, black, perfect… Next time, I will have it. For now – i’m going to enjoy success.

…for the next 3 hours. As my boyfriend and I sit at a sushi restaurant in Ballard, looking lovingly into each other’s eyes, I notice he’s not exactly looking… into my eyes – he’s looking around them.

“Are you wearing glitter?”

What.

“There’s glitter all over your eyes and stuff.”

WHAT.

Closer inspection reveals that my brand new eyeliner is purple… with silver sparkly bits. Sigh.

I cannot win this damned battle. I’m going back for the black, Perversion, ASAP.

Technorati Tags: bourjois paris, brush tip liner, colorstay, cosmetics, eye makeup, eyeliner, eyeliner pen, liquid eyeliner, makeup, review, Revlon, smashbox, too faced, urban decay

Did a little experiment last night, which lead to the following results:

Step 1: Not pictured because I’m daft.

Step 2:

Step 3: Sleep for like 4 hours too long (oops). Whatever, it’s Sunday, I do what I want.

Step 4:

After I ran my fingers through the curls once (they literally looked like that right after I unrolled them…), they looked like this:

Sort of in love.

Thanks to my darling Hannah Metz for the idea!

Technorati Tags: curls, curly hair, hair, hair ragging, pin curls, rags

I’ve never really been sure what the deal was with “No White After Labor Day”, but I’ve never really worn white, so I didn’t really care.

Aside from leaving my crisp linen suits in the not-my closet, I’ve always thought the idea of white footwear was kind of disturbing. Admittedly, I own some… Which I’m getting rid of (impulse buy – they were $7 and I was in my whedgle phase), and I’ve always kind of viewed white shoes as kind of a wasp-y accessory choice. Seemingly pretentious, ultra-preppy, and very “Let’s use the word luncheon outside of charity events.”

On a yet-to-be-related note, I’ve been falling in love with Tumblr lately. As a super visual, image-craving person, Tumblr is like a big ol’ mental stream of pretty things, and what’s life is not a stream of pretty things, right? (Don’t answer that, I realize it’s ridiculous, but it’s convenient for my story.) So I’ve been looking for more Tumblrs to follow lately, including apartment design tumblrs (if you know of any, please let me know), and today, a Tumblr was recommended to me in the sidebar of my dashboard called “HighOnHeels.” If you are reading this blog and wouldn’t click that link, I believe you have stumbled upon my humble abode by mistake.

So naturally, I follow them, and the first photo I see…

Giambattista Valli

They’re white. And they’re tall. And I really, really like them. Particularly the left/middle pair… What is going on? These aren’t wasp-y – I mean, kind of, but not nearly in the way that I previously imagined white shoes. I would wear these, I really would.

So now I’m curious as to whether or not there are other white shoes that I would wear. I’m not talking about taupe, off-white, or silver… But stark-ass white shoes.

Giorgio Armani Sandals $215 (were $355)

Look at the heel! Admittedly not all white, but LOOK AT THE HEEL!

Cesar Pacotti Heels $195 (were $215)

Charlotte Russe Knotted Wedges $30

L.A.M.B. Women’s Valisa Platform Oxford $226.96 (were $355)

AMAZING. Expensive and AMAZING.

Nina Dolls Women’s Janis Wedge $49.95 (were $58.95)

Okay, and I just have to share these next two because they don’t fit as far as the “all white” theme goes, but I am in love with them. They have to be seen.

Vicini Platforms $235 (were $390)

Look me in the eyes and tell me these aren’t great. Try.

Mafia Brass Knuckle Oxfords!!! $34.99 (were $69.95)

DO YOU SEE HOW AMAZING THESE ARE? I love them. They are kind of tacky, and a little bit… strange, but I need them.

Do you know what the deal is with “No White After Labor Day”? Do you wear white shoes? Why/why not?

Technorati Tags: heels, labor day, white, white shoes

I think “What to wear to:” (work, school, shows, festivals, etc., etc.) posts are a bit silly, in all honesty.

The entire point of attending these types of things, attire-wise, is to experiment and find out what works for you. That’s the entire point of “fashion”, right? Self expression? So when I see a “How to dress for… blah blah blah” post, I feel a little offended. Being that I’m of the belief that fashion does not come with a handbook and is, instead, a platform upon which to enhance yourself, I can’t bear to imagine a lost soul finding one of those posts and adopting whatever it is that the author is pushing. I’m sure I’m guilty of a few of these in the past, but what is a blog if not a documentation of progress?

So, my approach to this “What to Wear to…” post is fully inspired by my multiple personalities, which I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. There is the personality that wants that corner office in Manhattan… The one who wants to live in a tree house in Puerto Rico live off of grass and catfish… The one who wants to be forever smarmy and sass strangers in bars while scrawling random fragment sentences in a Moleskine… The one who wants to turn her crappy apartment into a gigantic closet with a stove and oven, and just sit around staring at things…There are so many.

I play out little movies in my head about each one of their lives (am I to be committed yet?), and sometimes -- particularly when I hear a specific song -- I envision them meeting their perfect match and spiraling into love. Each has a different song, and a different path, though… And that’s what I want to try to illustrate here.

So here we go. I suggest playing the song before looking at the spread. Think of it as an expression of what the song would wear -after all, every song you hear is a part of you for at least a second.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HNY0rx2fw4

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros -- Home (from the album, Up From Below)

MP Unlike Stripe OTK Socks from Sock Dreams $10
Industry Tube Dress w/ Button Placket $92
MIA Silverado Boots $53.36 (were $133.40)
Gap Lightweight Eyelet Scarf $19.50 (was $29.50)
Katz Round Aviator Sunglasses $10

I think that this is an appropriate outfit for carving names into trees, and making out in lots of tall grass. Correction: Lots of making out in tall grass.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCofsVH3cA8

Deer Tick -- These Old Shoes (from the album, War Elephant)

Cheap Monday Tight Denim (All Over Cut) $78
Lexi Dolman Top $24.90
Report Lyndon Boots $91 (were $130)
Quiksilver Firefly Motorcycle Jacket $70.80 (was $118)
Striped Draped-Front Vest $22.50
Obey Two Feathers Antique Necklace $38

A little destructed, but still romantic. I think, anyway.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB3iPhpLXx0

Martina Topley-Bird -- Anything (from the album Quixotic)

Lamixx Shades of Grey Floral Dress $56
Ribbed Knit Tights $8.99
7 For All Mankind Alaines $95.55 (were $325)

This one doesn’t need much, just like the song says. So pretty.

What is the best “falling in love” song  you’ve heard? What does it wear?

Technorati Tags: deer tick, edward sharpe, falling in love, martina topley-bird, romance

Of course, the day after I go on and on about my need for a smoke-print anything, this little gem shows up on Gilt:

Perfect.

(Snag it from Gilt quickly! It’s going fast. $399)

Technorati Tags: alexander mcqueen, gilt, smoke print

I came across an absolutely stunning art installation the other day – unfortunately only digitally – that really captured me. The artist, Pasadena-based Pae White, is enamored with elusive moments, and captures them via unconventional materials.

This is a piece from her play on “smoke & mirrors”, titled “Smoke Knows“, featuring a gigantic silk tapestry with these gorgeous, grand plumes of smoke dancing across the black space. White likes to capture things that shouldn’t be there, or won’t be there for long.

I stared at this image for a really, really long time… Wondering if maybe someday I could please have that silk to create a gown of some kind – maybe a great duvet cover, or an elaborate tailed coat. I’m always fascinated and enamored with things that occur in nature, those of which typically go unnoticed. The varying densities of the smoke combined with its gradients and transparencies defy anything you could attempt to create in photoshop – yet it’s completely natural.

Thus commenced my search for any semblance of delicate, smoke-kissed fabrics. It felt like something I would like to hand off to Thomas Wylde or (sigh) Alexander McQueen. Instead, I was able to find these smoke-reminiscent pieces:

OBEY Stars & Bars Dress $98

Trust me, I never thought I’d be putting anything tie-dye on B&B either… But the reminiscence is strong with this one, and I can’t deny my lusting. If you’re not into the full dress idea, OBEY also has a skirt version that’s just as gorgeous.

Chan Luu Scarf $245

I know, ridiculously expensive and silly, but doesn’t it just look like a piece was torn off Pae White’s installation and wrapped around a mannequin? Want.

Ella Moss Haze Wrap Halter Top $132

It makes me kind of upset when every halter top I see invites thoughts of South Beach, Arizona State University, or the like. Not only is the pattern on this exquisite (check the closeup on the site), but the cut and shape is not “sexy” – it’s elegant, and that makes all the difference.

ASOS Firetrap Stripe Dress $30.77 (was $102.56)

As far as easy goes, this is tops. I love the semi-structured look of the bustline with the meticulously disheveled hem. Perfect representation of the subject at hand.

Helmut Lang Jersey Shirt $195

This might be my favorite piece from this collection of smoke-inspired pieces. I’ve loved Helmut Lang since I first spotted his stuff online – and the line continues to impress me.

Patterson J. Kincaid Paris One Pocket Tee $68

Slinky & simple… Do you look at this and see tie-dye after seeing White’s piece? I certainly don’t. I see this under a tuxedo blazer, tucked in to a fitted mini with pumps that could kill…

There’s nothing bohemian about it.

Technorati Tags: fashion, pae white, smoke & mirrors, smoke knows, style, tie dye

…man, the idea is appealing sometimes.

Like those times when you wake up, look around, see that no, you didn’t magically do laundry without your own knowledge the day before, and yes, there are only four clean items of clothing for you today.

These are the times that my fashion morals are challenged. How easy it must be for Queen Michelle to look amazing every morning, with those 600 mile long legs all a-slick with PVC. Top it with… well, whatever! She’ll look ridiculously good no matter what.

But for me? Can I walk around looking like I just left the Liquid Latex Wrestling tournament, and found a baggy t-shirt on the way home? I don’t know. I think I’m back on the “they’re not pants” bandwagon.

…Then I go to Black Milk. Then I realize it was a mistake, and my morals are aflutter with one hell of a dilemma.

The Phoenix Leggings $80

Much in the way I view Bebaroque as the Queen of Tights, I view Black Milk as the God of Leggings. The designer, James Lillis, knows what he’s doing when it comes to spandex + footless leg coverings.

Wet Look Leggings $40

The ever-popular, highly-appealing leather-esque leggings. I’ve been warming up to the idea of these over the many months that they’ve been… well, everywhere. Maybe someday soon, I’ll pick some up right after no one cares anymore.

Candy Candy, You Are The One And Only! Leggings $80

The beautiful print is by Machiko Satonaka. These are nowhere near my style, but I like them.

Resurrection $80

I love a good understated creepy vibe, and that’s totally these. They come in black with white bones, too – equally as cool looking.

Gold Spartans $90

These are fascinating. I almost wish I had the aesthetic preference to pair them with something really exorbitant and busy… But I think I would feel the most comfortable pairing them with something solid and architectural. Let ‘em shine, right?

Lace Spartans $90

These are… borderline too-”80s” for me. I love a good lace panel, but I’m not sure if I’d feel totally comfortable in these.

These are definitely leggings that you need to take care of. The higher prices are in line with the quality, to be sure, so if you get a pair – REALLY make them last!

Which are your favorites?

Technorati Tags: black milk, bones, leggings, liquid, patterned, pvc

Revenge?! So close to True Romance?

Yes. Why? Because I’m self-centered. I’m self-centered to the point that everything on this website revolves around me, and where my head is in the world of fashion.

Well, my head just ended a three year relationship, so guess what… Now my head likes the idea of taking revenge on the universe that just turned her life upside down. My head is also a “her”, apparently.

So, I hopped on the “revenge” train, initially, by facing the world in the morning. That was tough. So tough, in fact, that I needed some assistance.

…So I stole his sunglasses.

Yep. Those monster, gold specs are those of my ex-lover, and guess what – he’s not getting them back – sorry, darling!

Sunglasses. Think Lady Gaga, think Anna Wintour, and – oh, every other celebrity in a 500 mile radius of Earth. On days like today, I can’t help but relate to the women who never take their glasses off. I don’t want to look at anyone, catch their eye, get caught staring off, longingly… Nope, just leave me behind my slightly amber wall of anonymity, and my repairs can begin to take place.

I, personally, like aviator glasses mixed with a playlist of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, DJ Shadow, and Mos Def.

If I didn’t have an ex-boyfriend from whom I was able to steal sunglasses, I might reach for these…

Chinese Laundry Aviators $15

Hot Kiss Pewter Aviators $15

80′s Purple Yanki II Vintage Aviator Sunglasses $10

Tell me stories about how you overcame heartbreak.

Technorati Tags: aviators, breakups, fashion, sunglasses