Vogue Welcomes Summer!

It's beginning to feel a lot like summer!   These amazing June Vogue covers encompass all the things we love most about the warmer months - bright colors, bikinis, and sparkly little dresses.  I'm headed off to the lake for a long weekend, here's hoping your'e able to celebrate the unofficial start of summer in a fun way as well!

Brutally Handsome/Terminally Pretty

For your viewing pleasure - because let's be honest - there's no accessory as wonderful as a good-looking man. ;)

Kate & Jared

Georgia & Jeremy

Daria & Pierce

Gemma & George

Natalia & Sam

Behati & Jamie

Getting Lippy

Lipstick.  I've always worn it.  I've actually worn it since I was about 7.  But I always was always when I was showing horses.  So to translate the look away from the show ring has taken a little work.  Wearing lipstick always seemed so fancy, so over the top.  But as of late, I've been working to make the look more everyday appropriate.  I knew my lips were being neglected and they needed to become a party my beauty routine.  My friends used to yell at me, "You look unfinished, you need something on your lips."  Okay, okay.   Maybe they were right.  Something was missing when I had on a full face of makeup - cheeks bronzed?  Always.  Eyes lined?  Of course.  Mascara applied?  Duh.  Lips?  Naked.  So I started small. I bought  Estee Lauder's lip pencil in Fig.  My friend Kristin actually got me hooked on it, and I loved the fact that it made my lips look fuller without looking like I was actually wearing lipstick.

From there, I made it my point to perfect the nude lip.  I blame that obsession on last years most prominent beauty trend- smoky eyes and nude lips anyone?  Finding the right shade of nude lip is difficult.  If the beige doesn't match your skin tone, you can literally look like a corpse.  I found my perfect match in Chanel Rogue Allure's Mythic lipstick.  If I was rocking a tan, it was a little light, but then I would top the lipstick with Chanel Glossimer in Beige Guitar and have a slightly warmer hue that was perfection.

Then of course, it was time to tackle the grand-daddy of them all - Red Lips.  A trend I've always loved,   Something about crimson lips paired with a tan is so beautiful, I was bound and determined to find a red that I could wear.  My problem (which was probably partially in my head) was that I though I looked so much older wearing red.  Or a street walker.   With some playing around I discovered if I wore an orangey red, the look felt far less formal.  Pairing that orangey-red with no more than some bronzer and a dash of mascara, and I had the exact look I was going for.  I've found that Revlon's Orange Flip is the perfect bright hue - young, fresh, and slightly funky.

Now that I've shared my lipstick diaries, here are some inspiring photos that make me want experiment even more.   Up next?  The perfect berry-hue for fall, and a lip stain that doesn't make me look like a four-year-old who just ate a popsicle.

Fairy Things

My latest read The Great Night by Chris Adrian has my head consumed with fairy tales.  It's  a retelling of William Shakespear's A Midsummer Night's Dream and I'm obsessing over the magic, the fairies, and  whimsical writing style used by Adrian.  Growing up I was completely fixated by faries and wanted nothing more than to live in the English countryside and discover all the magicI was sure it offered (part of me still really wants to do this. Hey, I never said I was cool.)    Anyways, I digress.   The lovely images imposed by this book have me wanting to add a little magic to my everyday life, particularly to my wardrobe.  Below are some editorials that have helped me realize my visions.



Emma for Material Girl magazine.



Natalia Vodianova for Vogue China

Sunday for Dubai's M Magazine



Kristine Drinke for Tank



Holly for Vecu Spring




Key's to these enchanted Looks -

• Ethereal, barely there makeup.  Think light pinks, soft metallics.
• Hair done in intricate braids, soft curls, or messy up-dos.
• Flowers, flowers, everywhere. In your hair, in jewelry, in prints, pinned to your lapel.
• Delicate dresses made out of materials like silk and chiffon.
• Making sure that all the above is done deliberately - these are looks you don't want to do half way, it doesn't work then.

Can I Be You?

This time of year, my head is off somewhere else, and as much as I hate to admit it, I'm daydreaming a good 80% of the time.  Mostly about being in warmer climates and wearing amazing clothes (surprise, surprise, right?)  Below are photos that I wish I could just magically transport myself  to, for just a day.  Editorial photos tell stories and it's so fun to think about what these ladies are doing.  As silly as this sounds, it's quite fun to do.  If you're bored and love fashion as much as I do, try it.



She is obviously about to go into Chanel and shop.  Then go to some amazing party, because why else would she have on such a breathtaking dress?  And she's in LA. I freaking want to be in LA.



Flowy, flowy white!  How fun would that dress be to wear?  With that hat?  So innocent, so easy it's the perfect spring look.

My most devoted readers will know that this is my second time using this image - but it's so breaktaking, how could I not?  I think it's pretty obvious why I'd want to be her.

Looking that glam wading in the water is a gift.  She has it, I want it.

Natalia, I'd be you any day.  But when you're wearing such pretty prints and are surrounded by flowers?  Well, it's a lot like a dream.



I just want eye makeup that cool.  And shoes that funky.  And a dress that sexy.  And a ponytail that flouncy.