Spring into Summer Buys

1. Sam Edelman Gigi Sandal in Whiskey, $60

2. House of Harlow 1960 Textured Wrap Gold Ring, $30

3. Toms Classic Red Canvas, $44

4. Hive and Honey Maxi Dress, $74

5. J. Crew Short-Sleeve Selvedge Chambray Shirt, $88

6. Kelsi Dagger Linzy in Sand Patent, $119

7. Forever 21 Candy Hearts Romper, $22.80

8. Forever 21 Woven Snap Front Tank, $19.80

9. J Brand Kiki Flare Jean in Shadow, $196

10. J. Crew Silk Blythe Blouse in Poppy, $98

11. Urban Outfitters Tortoise Shell Hoops, $24

11. J. Crew Perfect Shirt in Neon Gingham, $72

12. Jack by BB Dakota Skirt, $48

Model Stalker: Crystal Renn

I had never heard of Crystal Renn (shocking, I know with my extensive knowledge of the modeling world) until her book Hungry hit stands in 2009. She was a teen model with severe anorexia and spoke out in her book about the unrealistic standards of the fashion world. She has been praised for speaking out and rewarded as one of the LUCKY few to still have a successful modeling career despite her kickin curves. Since then I have seen her more and more in ads and on runways as the plus size model that gives great face. I LOVE her look, and although she has caught some flack recently for slimming down from a size 10/12 to a 4/6, I think she looks the best now slimmed to an athletic, healthy and toned shape.   Wanted to share a selection of recent photos of Crystal as inspiration for my summer slimdown.

Cover of her memoir, Hungry

no idea, just love this pic

Lord & Taylor 2011 campaign

German Vogue, February 2011

Jimmy Choo Spring '11 campaign 

Look I Stole: Spring Style Options

Today was the day it FINALLY felt like spring in NYC. The temperature rose to over 60 degrees and New Yorkers all seemed to have a skip in their step. I wore leggings, my Kelsi Dagger snake thigh high flat boots (seen here), and a light Zara sweater thinking it was a great transition outfit.....boy was I wrong. I need to break out my lighter wardrobe options, unless I prefer to sweat to death as we head in to summer. I noticed a few key outfits I can easily recreate on some stylish celebrity ladies. LC, Charlize, and Lo all know where its at for warm weather chic. Throw on a linen or lightweight cotton button down and jump on the trend wagon of black or dark indigo flare jeans just like LC, I can wear my favorite Old Navy cargos (seen here) with a blazer and oxford pumps for Charlize's look, and the (hopefully mine soon) $59 Paperbag Waist Trousers from Urban Outfitters to complete Lo's relaxed fit style.

Ok, 3 days of outfits decided and months more to go......

Beauty Essentials Round Up

After working in the beauty industry for a few years, you start to learn which products are truly amazing and which are pure hype with a great PR team and loyal beauty editors to convince consumers to purchase. I tend to be a creature of habit, so I have a lot of go-to products that I have collected and become a fanatic for. 

Clockwise from top left:

1. TheBalm Balms Away, $20

2. Eve Lom Dynaspot, $30

3. Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Rose, $22

4. Essie Jelly Apple, $8

5. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Cheek and Lip, $24

6. Makeup Forever Concealer, $30

7. Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash, $6.89

1. One weekend when visiting my good friend Kimmie K, we came back from a (late) night out and got ready for bed. She whipped out a tub of vaseline and got to work on her eyes. I was confused as I took liquid eye makeup remover to a cotton ball and tugged at my lids - what is she, nuts? No, turns out she's genius. Vasoline is gentler on the skin around the eyes and easy swipes away at dark pigments for a clean face. My favorite is theBalm Balms Away due to its added vitamins and cute tin (i'm a sucker for girlie packaging).

2. BEST way to try out a testy zit. Just squeeze a little on your finger, dab to cover the zit (don't rub in), let sit overnight while sleeping, and BOOM, that zit will shrink down in no time. 

3. Smells like frosting and best pink color, not too bright and totally kissable. 

4. My nail color of choice when I feel like channeling Olivia Palermo. When I'm looking to go more Kardashian, I reach for OPI Black Onyx.

5. I prefer a cream blush to powder, just dab your finger a couple of times in the pot and then dab along the apples of your cheek. Rub in and rub slightly up your cheek bone. My favorite shades are Calypso Coral when I try a lady-like cat eye with my liner a la Lauren Conrad, and Pink Truffle when my makeup is a little more sultry.

6. Fantastic concealer, hides the red better than most I've tried. Make Up Forever is a a favorite brand for most makeup artists, anything they trust must be good.

7. This face wash has changed my skin. I have combination skin and need something a little stronger. If you have skin that gets too dry or irritated easily, then wash with this at night to remove your makeup and dirt from the day and immediately apply a light lotion or moisturizer after to keep skin hydrated. In the morning, use a light gentler cleanser like Cetaphil.

IM BACK, BABY!!

After a month hiatus, I am returning to the blogosphere. I traveled the middle east and came back to a work life filled with chaos. Blogging unfortunately had to take a backseat until I could recharge the batteries. However, life moves on and you gotta give the people what they want. So sit back, read and enjoy my random thoughts once again dear readers. After all, its all for you (the 20 of you who loyally check the site).

Street Style: Emily Wall

It's Sister Frivolous with another guest post for you on this dreary Wednesday!

This week's street style inspiration is our friend Emily from Georgia E.  I happened to catch Em's day-drinking-to-night-out look and I had to snap a pic.  Miss Friv and I are always looking for outfits that are comfortable yet still sexy, without having all the goodies on display.  And when I learned most of Em's items were bargains and sale-rack steals, I knew I had my next post!

The real highlight of this ensemble, which you can't fully appreciate from this photo, is the super cute H&M beige crochet sweater with a peekaboo back that Emily layered over a long black H&M tank, dark skinnies (JBrand), and snakeskin platforms.  Topped with a camel faux-leather jacket (hers is Zara), this was the perfect hipper-than-a-hipster look!

Inspiration Board: Wide Leg Jeans

Hello loyal readers! Miss Frivolous has taken a short blogging hiatus as she visits the holy land in search of a husband. She asked me, the sister referenced mockingly in several previous posts, to keep you updated in her absence.  Let's get right to it, shall we?

To get a feel for how we sisters differ, consider the ultimate model family: The Kardashians.  While Miss Friv considers Kim her would-die-to-be-mistaken-for, I gravitate more towards Kourtney and her classic, mature style choices.  That's why when I saw this picture appear back in November, I squealed with delight:

*image from officialkourtneyk.celebuzz.com

Because I knew this could only mean one thing: wide-leg jeans are back.  Curvy girls rejoice! When done correctly, there is no more flattering casual look that we can rock.  Pair some flares with a tucked-in shirt, a slim belt, and some sky-high heels, and you will have all the eyes in the room on you! Witness:

 *image from people.com

 *image from people.com

*image from officialkourtneyk.celebuzz.com

While a higher-rise can be flattering, if you are short and had too many Girl Scout cookies these last few weeks, steer clear of the super-high-waist, lest you find yourself looking like this:

*image from chicainc.com

Hate to drag this back out Jess-- as Miss Friv always says, Big girls need love too.  Just making my point and then we will put that mom jeans photo back in the vault! 

If you are anxious to perpetuate this trend but haven't gotten your hands on a pair yet, consider purchasing these two celebrity favorites: 

The J Brand "Love Story" and the 7 for All Mankind "Georgia Jean"