My Top Picks: Sephora

It is Friends and Family at Sephora through November 3rd! This means you can get 20% off your entire order at Sephora right now.  When these types of discounts come around it is a great reminder to replenish favorite items and it is a great excuse to try a couple of new products too. 

My Top Beauty Picks From Sephora

 1. NARS The Multiple- Orgasm
I have the Multiple in St. Barts and I use it all the time so this time I thought I would try the Multiple in Orgasm. (I use the gloss and blush in orgasm and love them too!)

2. Renee Furturer Naturia Dry Shampoo
I go through this stuff pretty quickly and with upcoming work and holiday travel I decided to order the 12 oz.  and the 24 oz. sizes.

3. Bobbie Brown Corrector
I have dark circles and I have tried many products out there to help with this issue. This corrector is amazing because the peach base really neutralizes my dark circles.  I just replenished my stock of the dark peach corrector at Neiman Marcus so I may hold off on this for now. But this product tops the list as one of my favorite all time beauty essentials.

4. Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips

My eye shadow comes off with cleanser but for the times I need to take it off eyeliner or mascara this product works much better.

5. Bobbie Brown Shimmer Brick-Nectar
I have this eyeshadow/blush combo in Bronze and Rose and it's the only eyeshadow I own. It is perfect for both day and night looks.  I like this new nectar color palette for the fall/winter and I am debating whether to get this today. 

6. Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
I usually stock up on Lakme liquid eye liner from India but this one by Stila got excellent reviews so I thought I would give it a try. This will be perfect to line the upper eyelids.
 
What are some of your favorite beauty essentials?

Sequins and the City

Pink sequin skirt-Banana Republic, Roll sleeve henley blouse-Ann Taylor Loft (on sale for 30% off),  Peep toe black pumps-Aldo (last season), black patent clutch-Charles David, bracelet-H&M

On Friday night my husband and I met up with our good friends for dinner at Mistral, one of our all time favorite restaurants in Boston.  And as mentioned here, I requested your style ideas about how to create a new look using my pink sequin skirt.

Previous Look

The first time I wore this skirt I paired it up with a black sleeveless chiffon blouse tucked in, black tights, and these black heels.

Current Look
This style is inspired by style'n reader Nikki (Style and Charm)
I like Nikki's idea to switch up the look by adding a flowy cream blouse, black tights, and black heels.

Next Look
The next time I wear this sequin skirt I am going to go for a daytime look.
Josie (with a wink and a smile) suggests pairing the skirt with a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and Valerie (Red Vines for Breakfast) and Piya suggest creating a look with a pair of tall brown boots.
Who knew there were so many great style options with a sequin skirt?

Thanks to all of you who provided style tips on how to create a look with a sequin skirt. Here are all of your stylish recommendations.

How to Style an Outfit With a Pink Sequin Skirt: 

1. Flowy cream blouse with black tights and black heels (Nikki)
2. Light cream or champagne blouse with ankle boots (Dawn)
3. Cream or pale pink long sleeved silk button down blouse and flat riding boots (Valerie, Piya)
4. Crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up, tights, and booties or a loose top with a cardigan  (Josie)
5. Panelled chiffon and leather u round neck top or a silky bow top and a black coat (Jemina)
6. Oversized light sweater, dark tights, and tall boots (Diana)
7. A wrap or belted sweater and some calf length boots for a more casual daytime look (Alison)
8. Black blazer (Julie)
9. Black tank and long black cardigan (Melissa)
10.White button down shirt and brown brogues/oxfords for the day and black blazer, camisole, tights and booties for the night (Sonali)
11. Cream blouse with bow ties paired with bronze heels and a coat for the evening (MarchMusings)
12. Tee and blazer or cardigan for the day a nice top and heels with tights for the night (Ashley)
13. Polka dotted blouse, black blazer, and flats (Vandna)
14. Silk white flowy top and patent pumps. (Jess)
15. Simple black blouse jazzed up with fun jewelry or off white blouse (Samantha)
16. Black or white v-neck pocket tee tucked in, a blazer and booties or pumps (Isabel)
17. Solid pink jumpsuit style shirt with a soft rolled collar, pearls, gray tights and gray/patent and suede pump (Kelly)
18. Silk cream blouse (Amy and Geeta), boyfriend jacket, and tights (Geeta)

Style'n Tips: How to Wear Floral Dresses In the Fall/Winter

Madewell dress, Club Monaco blazer, Michael Kors handbag, Aldo belt, Steve Madden boots

On Sunday we met up with some friends for brunch in Boston's South End. It was a the perfect fall day to wear this new dress I bought at Madewell. (dress also seen here)  I have had my eye on this dress for a while and when I went to the store to try it on it was marked down so of course I got it.  This floral dress is quickly becoming my new"black" dress because the styling options are endless and it it such a versatile item.   Next time I may try pairing the dress with my short black leather jacket and black tall boots.

Top 5 Tips for Wearing Floral Dresses in the Fall/Winter:

1. Cover up by pairing a floral dress with corduroy blazers, denim jackets, and leather jackets. This helps break up the print,  toughens up the feminine look, and keeps you warm.  In addition, adding different textures with these type of jackets or even with wool cardigans helps make the outfit more appropriate for the cold season. 

2. Consider layering the dress with a turtleneck or long sleeve tee underneath or add a belted cardigan on top.

3. Add cold weather wear such as dark opaque tights,  darker more simple handbags, and scarves.

4. Replace sandals with tall boots, slouchy boots, or booties. 

5. Select colors and textures appropriate for fall.  Leave the linen floral dress or the classic summer white and pastel dresses and opt for darker bolder hues giving you an edgy and autumn look.  But if you do wear lighter colored floral prints then just add tights and cardigans that compliment and draw attention to one of the darker hues in the dress.

Do you like to wear floral dresses in the fall/winter? If so what are some ways you transform this look from spring/summer to fall/winter?

My style'n tips (and yours!)

Earlier this week all of us received some great fashion tips from Harper Bazaar's Avril Graham on transitioning outfits from day to night.  Well last Saturday I needed to create and outfit that I could transition from meeting friends at the Fort Point Open Art Fall Open Studios to a casual lunch at one of our favorite spots- Flour and then on to some playtime with our daughter at The Boston Children's Museum. 

Here's what I wore:

1. Aviator sunglasses and necklace-Banana Republic

2. Black studded handbag-Deux Lux purchased at Ku De Ta (one of my favorite local boutiques) 

3. Blouse-H&M

4. Cardigan-Banana Republic

5. Belt-Anthropologie
6. Jeans-Citizens of Humanity Avedon Slick Skinny Legging Jeans
7. Black flat boots-Burberry

I wanted to look stylish and sophisticated for the art exhibits yet comfortable and casual enough to walk around town and hang out at the museum.

My strategy:
1. Carry a handbag large enough to carry all my stuff including my camera and scarf and Ariyana's snacks and cardigan.
2. Wear comfortable shoes without a high heel so I can walk and "play" at the museum
3. Layer clothing since we were going to be inside and outside for several hours
4. Add some fun accessories such as a necklace and belt so that I am style'n!
 
As mentioned above we all received some great style tips from Avril Graham on transitioning your look from day to night and also earlier this month Today Show's Bobbie Thomas gave us lots of amazing fashion tips as well. (here)  I also provided a few ways I transitioned my look since I attended the Swarovski event right after work on Tuesday.  But I also received some really creative and informative comments yesterday from all of you about the various ways you transition your look from day to night and I wanted to share them with you.

Reader's fashion tips on transitioning looks from day to night:
1. Add red lipstick and sparkly earrings. Melissa
2. Do a smoky eye. Josie
3. Kohl eyeliner, shoes, and jewelry. Gagan
4. More make-up and more "blingy" items.  Sonali
5. Let down the hair, touch up make-up, and remove a layer of clothing. Torrie
6. Add bold jewelry, add dramatic make-up, and change your shoes. Samantha
7. Ponytails during the day and hair loose at night. Michelle
8. Add jewelry that sparkles such as big pearl and diamond cocktail ring, and gold bangles. Annelise
9. Let down your hair and put on some high heels. Tanvi
10. Add a pair of heels, eyeliner, extra mascara, and extra jewelry. Valerie
11. Change shoes. Audrey
12. Exchange a blazer for a bomber jacket, skinny denim for a wide leg flare, remove a knee high sleek heel boot for a platform shoe and keep it simple with a t -shirt and some fun jewelry beneath. Carrie
13. The right bag is important-a clutch screams evening plus some sparkly accessories as well. Connie
14. Add accessories and make clothing a bit more revealing at night. Elle 

Have a great weekend!

Style'n tips from Avril Graham of Harper's Bazaar

Avril Graham is wearing the gorgeous Maniac necklace from Swarovski's new Fall/Winter 2010 collection.

Last night I met up with my friends Martini and Sami at the Swarovski evening of style event hosted by the lovely Avril Graham.  Avril is the Executive Fashion and Beauty editor of Harper's Bazaar and a regular style contributor on The Today Show.  Avril shared some great tips on transofrming an outfit from day to night and she demonstrated this by styling models with Swarovski's newest pieces.

I did not buy any jewelry because I just bought these pieces and I also prefer to shop when it is less crowded.  I really enjoyed browsing the new collection, chatting with Avril about her style tips,  and drinking the delicious sparkling white wine. But, I will be back to the store because I have my eye on a few amazing statement pieces.  I did end up buying one of these beautiful crystalline pens.

Here are just a few of the helpful tips Avril provided last night.

For the day:
1. Mix and match blazers and skirts
2. For a sophisticated look a ponytail is great
3. Layer 2-3 necklaces
4. Wear watches and bracelets/bangles on the same arm
5. Add a cocktail ring for a bit of unexpected glamor during the day 

For the transition to night:
1. Let your hair down
2. Lose the blazer for a less conservative look
3. Add some drama and color with cuffs, bracelets, and bangles
4. Be bold with an eye catching statement necklace
5. Switch to a fun evening clutch
6. Don't be afraid to wear several bold accessories at one time. This can include a watch, cocktail rings, and crystal bracelets.

 

I had the opportunity to meet and chat with Avril and she is so stylish and friendly.

I came to this event straight from work so here are a few ways I transitioned my look. ( I wish I took a before/after picture. Oh well next time!)

1. I carried my make up bag with me and did a quick touch up before the event.

2. I switched from my bigger more conservative black bag (to hold my laptop) to a more casual brown handbag.

3. I added some Swarovski bangles for some extra sparkle in the evening.

What are some of your favorite ways to transform your look from day to night?

Cheers!