NYLON!

The new issue of Nylon finally came out!

This photo is incredibly striking...I love how her hair is caught perfectly in a gust of wind.

Joe's Jeans ad campaign

Hello Kitty!

Wide cut jeans. Brilliant. Love the hat too.

I am making these shorts.

This is one of my favorite silhouettes.

I WANT THAT HAIR!

Yes, please.

Olivia Wilde is just stunning...I love the grunge-style clothes she wears in this shoot.

 - Cream

Vivian Girls/Grease

I love this song and it's totally reminiscent of the sleepover scene from Grease...

Hence the inspiration for this selection of items...

H&M shorts, Urban Outfitters top, Urban Outfitters denim jacket (there is also a much cheaper one, although that doesn't have embellished pockets...), Pantene hairspray.

 - Cream

Bubbling Acid

My "want" of the moment is Givenchy Le Prismissime 9-Color Eyeshadow in 61 Acid Lights. This palette is not for the faint hearted. This palette contains nine high-voltage shades of eyeshadow, three are matte and the rest have a pearlescent finish. The colors are tangerine orange, cobalt blue, sky blue, red-violet (purple), pure white, honey bee yellow, lime green, soft teal and a rusty brown. The palette also comes with three miniature brushes, two sponge-tip applicators and one angled bristle brush. If it weren't for its large price ($62) for such a small amount of product, I would have it in a minute.

However, to avoid looking like an artist's paint palette, go with pale and/or matte colors on the rest of the face and dark but understated lashes.

- Sugar

Day to Night Hair

This is one of my all-time favorite hairstyles that with one move transforms from casual to classy and best of all, it is SUPER easy and versatile. First, I will give you the basic instructions on how to do the look and then I will tell you how to change it up. This look can easily be done on wet or dry hair. Start by parting your hair, it doesn't matter where you part it as long as you can brush it all forward over one shoulder. For the simplest version, do a classic braid and band it at the bottom, then make it a wider plait by turning out the sides gently. Pretty simple. To change the look to a night look all you need is some bobby pins and hairspray. Slip the bobby pin into the elastic so the bend is hooked on. Then, take the ends of the bobby pin and bend them down to curve them to create a double-hook effect. Pick up the braid with the elastic and fish-hooked bobby pin hanging from the end and pull it around the side of your head. Bring the end of the braid about halfway across the width of your neck. Take the bobby pin and push it under your hair then angle the pin so that when you pull down on the bobby, it tugs on your hair. Tuck under any extra hair from the end of your braid and secure flyaway hairs with bobby pins. Smooth over any rough areas with the flat of your hand and lightly hairspray any loose regions. Its an easy look but you can dress it up or down by adding fancy clips or a headband.

Here are scenarios that go with different types of braids:

The classic braid goes with anything but if you want to amp it up just a touch, you can french braid your bangs and pull it into the typical braid.

Office to Dinner Date; try a reverse braid.

Beach to Barbeque; try a fishtail braid.

Sailing to Supper; try a rope braid.

Camp to Carnival; try a figure eight braid (This is uncommon. Check out LetsMakeItUp1 for a tutorial).

Sunbathing to Sunset; try a four or five strand braid.

The list goes on and on...

- Sugar

(Sorry there are no pictures in this post!)

Rain, rain, go away

In honor of the terrible weather we've been having...

Asos blue trench

Hunter yellow rain boot

Stand out in the sea of black rain coats and umbrellas!

Maybelline waterproof mascara

And if you like the rain: Rainy Mood.
- Cream

70s Moodboard

I love my seventies-style blouse so much I had to put these pictures together...

That 70s Show

The move 'Secretariat' (I wanted everything Diane Lane wore.)

Farah Fawcett

The original Charlie's Angels cast

- Cream

Haul

Okay so I feel like the light in this photo isn't very good--in real life the top isn't as grey looking--but I absolutely LOVE this shirt that I got today. It's from Urban Outfitters and it's a seventies-style sheer flowy shirt. I was worried that it was going to end up hitting quite high on my torso and be unflattering, but the cut turned out to be great. It's really versatile because I can wear it over jeans or shorts, or tuck it into some high-waisted culottes or a skirt...it's one of those items where I'm really excited to wear it...

I'd been seeing this in the window of the H&M that's next to my subway stop for a while, so today I finally went in to try it on... it was only $29 dollars which I thought was pretty good considering that it's chiffon but not see-through. (I feel like all those places like H&M and Forever 21 always use such thin fabric, so while it doesn't seem expensive to start with you then have to go out and buy something to wear under it so you don't expose yourself to the world.)

And this is just a basic loose black tee, also from H&M...not that exciting but something I definitely needed.

After I went shopping I met up with my friend and we went to the Bleecker street record store which we love. They have boxes full of $1 albums so I bought one to add to my collection. It's mostly for the cover art though, because they aren't guaranteed to work.

- Cream

Wow

I've been in love with Elle Fanning ever since she started appearing in magazines as 'Dakota Fanning's little sister,' and her role in 'Somewhere' further heightened her cool-factor. She is now the face of Marc by Marc Jacobs A/W 2011-2012 campaign (his campaigns have always been utterly fabulous--I assume you have seen the Helena Bonham Carter series) and the collaboration has put me into a frenzy. All of the photos are below.

 I LOVE the way her face looks in the one above...

 Will someone please explain to me how this girl is thirteen?

 The dress has antelopes for christ's sake.

 I believe that this is what every girl is striving for when she goes for a blowout at the hairdresser. I'm definitely going to be taking this photo with me the next time I'm there. And I also need to find a way to acquire those sunglasses.

 I strangely like the combination between the 70s style flare trousers and the 'Mob Wives' style fur collar...(If you don't know what that show is, then good, please keep it that way.)

 The eyes! The watch! The pattern!

I am in awe of a thirteen year old.

- Cream

Photos courtesy of www.catwalkqueen.tv

Harry Potter Countdown #1: Harry Potter

HARRY POTTER

What could possibly be said about Harry Potter? I am at a severe loss, not just for words. This most definitely qualifies as the end of an era. Throughout my life, I have learned hundreds of things from him. Be courageous, believe in yourself, keep friends close, do the honorable thing, etc... What do you say about someone fictional who has ACTUALLY changed your life? I can only think of one thing. Thank You.

Lets start with the artistically tousled hair. You want your bangs towards the front and all of your hair clean, but fashionably disheveled. Try Herbal Essence's Tousle Me Softly Tousling Spray Gel. For the Masterpiece; begin with NARS Pro-Prime Multi-Protect Primer SPF 30 Sunscreen/PA +++ spread evenly across the face. To keep your skin fresh throughout battle use Yves Saint Laurent TEINT RESIST Long Wear Endless Comfort Transfer Resistant Foundation SPF10 in Shade 04 Sand. Set your makeup with MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder. Create a three shape starting from your temples bending down to your cheeks and down to the jaw with a bronzer like Smashbox's Bronze Lights in Sunkissed Matte. On the apples of your cheeks dab NARS Cream Blush in Cactus Flower. Shape your eyebrows to be a straight shape using NARS Eyebrow Pencil in Jodhpur. For the eyes, apply one thin layer of Tarte EmphasEYES Aqua-Gel Eyeliner in Brown and then on top of that another line in Charcoal. Curl your eyelashes and apply two coats of Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara in Black. Then coat your lips with Tarte Tarte For True Blood Limited-Edition LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint. Finally, use the same brown eyeliner as you used on your eyes to draw a lighting shape on the right side of your forehead. Put on your rounded glasses and go out and save the Wizarding world!

Harry, Thank you for the inspiration through all these years, thank you for creating a sanctuary using your bravery when something in the Muggle world was wrong. Thank you for being you. I wish you the best of luck in life after Harry Potter or... with yourself.

- Sugar

Saab Stuns

I absolutely die for anything that is lacy and white, so you can imagine my utter joy when I saw the photos from the Elie Saab Autumn/Winter 2011 Paris couture fashion week.

Here are just a few of my favorites...

The attention to detail is what really gives me goosebumps, as with any couture show. 

These dresses make the models look weightless.

I almost feel like they have been dusted with sugar.

 - Cream
 Photos from Vogue UK.

Harry Potter Countdown #2: Ron Weasley

RONALD WEASLEY

 Thinking about him, I am at a loss for words. By far my favorite character. Ron is the awkward one, which makes him so lovable. Throughout the series he grows immensely, and not just in height. He becomes brave, independent and mature. I sincerely wish that I was his wife. I will always love you.

For the hair, keep the hair sleek, healthy and shiny and brush your bangs lightly across your forehead. Blend Tarte Smooth Operator SPF 20 in Agent 08 all over your face. Create a soft, rounded shape for your eyebrows using MAKE UP FOR EVER's Eyebrow Pencil in Brown 3. Place NARS The Multiple in Orgasm on the apples of the cheeks and a very slight line down the bridge of your nose and blend out. The eyes are the most elaborate of this look; start by using Dior Liquid Eyeliner in Black in one thin line at the lash line and by creating as little of a curve as you can, bring the line one third down onto the lower lash line. Take MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes in Gold 9L and use it on the inner corners and over the black on the inner half of the lid. Then take Tokidoki Perfetto Eyeliner in Donutella on top of the black on the outer half of the lid. Then, take with your finger a light amount of Stila Eye Shadow in Mimosa and lightly blend where the two other colors meet to create an ombré effect. Finally curl your lashes and apply Ultraflesh's Ultraflesh Panthera Mascara in Black. Lastly, blend Buxom Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Bombay onto your lips.

Ron, I've dreamed about you literally since I was five and I still do so. I WILL FOREVER LOVE YOU. Please, find me after Harry Potter and live happily ever after.

- Sugar

Harry Potter Countdown #3: Hermione Granger

HERMIONE GRANGER

When creating a look inspired by Hermione Granger, it is important to use the young Emma Watson - before she became gorgeous - because that is where the essence of the character comes from. Hermione is intelligent, brave and a true feminist. If there was one person I could be... EVER... it would be her (that's also partially because of my strong love for Ron Weasley/Rupert Grint). For this, we draw on her clean and smart edges even when encountering great dangers.

For the hair, you want your hair down and curl with Hot Tools Blue Ice Titanium Waver to create loose waves. Then spritz with Frederic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves and brush through. Brush your bangs to the side. On the face, start with a good primer such as Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer on bare skin, follow with Bobbi Brown SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free in Light Tint. The primer will help the foundation stay on even when running from the snatchers and the tinted moisturizer  to keep the skin fresh and protected. Sweep Shiseido The Makeup Accentuating Color Stick in S4 Rouge Flush on the cheekbones and dab Urban Decay Urbanglow Cream Highlight in Moonshine on the highest point of your cheekbones. When doing your brows, draw them on with a little bit of a heavier hand than you would normally and with low arches, try it with Anastasia Brow Wiz in Brunette. Take Buxom Insider Eyeliner in Pearl on the brow bone, inner corners of the eyes and on the waterline. Then place an angled eyeliner brush with Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eyeliner in Dark Brown as close to the middle of the upper lash line as possible. Draw a straight line that starts thin and progressively get slightly thicker towards the outer corner, trace from the end-point down to VERY lightly on the middle of the bottom lash line. The eyeliner should cumulatively fade towards the inner halves of your eyes. After curling your eyelashes give two generous coats of Lancome DEFINICILS PRECIOUS CELLS - High Definition Amplifying Mascara in Black on the upper lashes and then Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara in 01 Black on the lower lashes. Finish it all off with Yves Saint Laurent VOLUPTE SHEER CANDY Glossy Balm Crystal Color in 04 Succulent Pomegranate on the pout by dabbing it on with your ring finger... and VOILA! You're off to fight the Dark Arts!

Hermione, I wish with all my heart that I was you. You lead such a breathtaking and inspiring life. I wish you the absolute best of luck after Harry Potter.

- Sugar

Harry Potter Countdown #4: Ginny Weasley

GINNY WEASLEY

For Ginny, you want the look to be both tough and irresistible. Her intrigue resonates from her deep-rooted confidence and power. Part your hair to one side and let it flow down on on your shoulders - it should be straight but have body (I like the John Frieda Volume Collection). Clip your bangs out of your face. Since Ginny is a redhead, we want to play up the orange without looking like a cheetah. Try Urban Decay Surreal Skin Cream-to-Powder Foundation in Nirvana for soft, even skin. Define your brows with Benefit Cosmetics Instant Brow Pencil in Medium. On your cheeks use a soft bronzer on the underside of your cheekbones, like Givenchy Le Prismissime Sun Visage Mat & Glow Soft Compact Face Powder in 73 Sun Caramel. This palette allows you to mix in your own shade starting with matte and then a bronze highlighter. Run this down the bridge of your nose. For the eyes use Yves Saint Laurent OMBRES 5 LUMIERES - 5 Colour Harmony For Eyes in 3 Tawny. Dust the peach color from the lash line to just below the brow bone. Use the ivory under the eyebrow's arch and the gold on the inner corners of the eyes. Then use the orange to define your crease and to form a v-shape on the outer third of your eyes. Finally use the brown eyeliner with an angled brush as close to the lash line as possible for a soft eyeliner effect. Apply one coat of Yves Sain Laurent MASCARA SINGULIER NUIT BLANCHE - Exaggerated Lashes in 1  Vibrant Black. On the lips swipe Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 and on top of that dab on a very thin coat of Stila Lip Glaze in Mulberry. Hold your wand at the ready.

Ginny, You are such a powerful character and I hope you have a happy life after Harry Potter (or with him...)!

- Sugar

1 t-shirt, 3 looks

The base t-shirt I'm using for this post is this (hilarious) United States of Awesome tee from Glamour Kills. I'm going to be creating 3 different looks using this one shirt.

1. Casual Sunday Brunch

Throw on the above tee (over a black bra for extra devil-may-care attitude) and add the Levi boyfriend jeans (on sale at Asos).

What I really like about these jeans is that the loose fit allows you to change the length to suit your look. For this outfit I would suggest rolling them up so that they are at a mid-calf length (both to suit the warmer climate and also to complement the look). Swap the heels shown in the photo for your go-to pair of converse/keds. I like my standard black ones, but Sugar has a pair of sequined ones which are great for adding excitement to whatever you're wearing.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find those online so I settled for these, customizable ones instead. (Which are still pretty awesome.)

Complete the look with some oversized sunglasses to hide the under-eye circles reminiscent of the night before...

Ray Ban aviators

And keep baggage to a minimum. The extra responsibility will not help your headache.

2. Day at the Beach

This t-shirt matches the below H&M bikini perfectly. Wear as a cute cover-up to protect from harmful UVA rays...

...and add black flip flops to complete the look.

3. Shopping and lunch

This denim skirt (from G-star at Asos) is perfect for shopping because denim is lightweight, versatile and won't get dirty easily.

Always keep jewelry simple--your standard studs will be perfect, as you don't want anything coming in between you and a bargain/dress/bag. Wear your favorite pair of ballet flats, such as the ($13!) H&M ones below, as they're comfortable and easy to slip off when shoe shopping. I really like the red but they also come in yellow, black and brown.

Finally, grab your bag--this leather one from modcloth is good because again, the material is durable. Also, the cross-body strap means you don't have to constantly worry about someone stealing it, and it leaves your hands free to grab that last pair of heels.

- Cream
 Photos courtesy of: Glamour Kills, Asos, Converse, H&M, Modcloth and Ray-Ban.