positively radiant!

 

If I was only able to use ONE beauty product--including hair products, makeup, everything--I would use Facial Lotion w/ SPF 30. 

I would say I recommend using Aveeno but that stuff is Expensive, so I use the Walmart knockoff--Equate "Absolutely Beaming" (the bottle even looks the same, its a clever copy and half the cost!).

I only started using facial lotion daily about three months ago and after a few weeks I could see a huge difference in my skin--it really was more glowy and radiant and even beaming. Now I put it on before I go to bed at night and before I put on my makeup in the morning. 

Plus, not only helping my skin look/feel better with the lotion, it also has SPF 30, so if I happen to get a little sun I don't have to worry about any skindamage on my face! 

All this to say, if you don't use facial lotion w/spf everyday, start doing it--your skin will thank you when you're 30 ;)

5 favorite things: Ruche

What's Up Doc bag, $54.99

Day by Day Coat, $62

Poetic License Pumps, $94

Autumn's Gift dress, $38

Heart in the Shadows Ring, $40

links a la mode!

The Blogging Diaries- Introspects, insights, and inspirations

Edited by: Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista
As bloggers, we often find ourselves looking to other blogs for inspiration. Sometimes we look to our closets, magazines, or in the mirror. This week’s roundup fashions some of the most introspective and insightful posts from bloggers who reach across the blogosphere as they look for ways to build upon, contribute to, and pull inspiration for and from the fashion world.

Links à la Mode: October 21st

• 365 Fashion Rehab: Lessons from a (Reformed) Shopaholic: A beautiful handbag repaired (for free!). One more reason to buy quality over quantity.
• Boheme Noir: The first ladies of Vogue – a closer look at the most important editors in chief.
• Daisy Dayz: Friend Friday: How to learn from your mistakes and let your blog grow
• Devilishly Pleasurable: Reflecting on the evolution of my blog and tips for better blogging!
• Fish Monkey: The notion of flattering dressing is oppressive and unnecessary. Rather than conforming, why not chose a different shape?
• Hazel Eye Personality: Who has what it takes to be the next big and game changing designer? It takes a lot of time, passion and sanity to make it in the fashion world.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Work Smarter, Not Harder–3 Ways to Massively (and Permanently) Increase Your Traffic.
• Miss Viki: “Love Me” and what is wrong with our beauty ideals, if anything?
• No Guilt Fashion: I put on my game face and tried out my biggest fashion trend fear
• Passionista Place: qvc, hsn…oh my! find out why home shopping networks have become a bit of an addiction for a modern passionista like me.
• Seamstress Stories: Reflections on the role that mirrors play for our body image and self-perception.
• Showcase Edge: Indie Fashion Goes Back to the future. A look at designers who hand-make clothing inspired by times of the past
• Sidewalk Chalk: I’m a poser, baby: 7 steps for posing naturally in outfit photos
• Stylish White Female: Transitioning from vegetarian to vegan: Some things are hard to give up. Fur is not.
• Taxonomy of my Wardrobe: Shopping the Wardrobe. My version of this month’s Harper’s Bazaar Buy Now wear Forever list selected from my own wardrobe.
• The Coveted: Three Way With a Long Chiffon Skirt
• The Curvy Fashionista: Nordstrom reaches out to plus size fashion bloggers to collaborate on its newest plus size endeavor- Sejour
• The Demoiselles: She is not a fashion blogger. She’s just a woman, sitting in her bathtub.
• The Simply Luxurious Life: In a world that seems to be changing quicker than the seasons, what does it mean to be a lady?
• The Wondergirl: retail-me-not: waxing poetic on two interesting happenings of late in the world of specialty retailing.
• Vogue Mornings:How not to lose motivation when blogging, a few quick solutions to the problem many bloggers face.

links a la mode

Coats on!

Edited by: Florrie Clarke of Intrinsically Florrie
Change is literally in the air, bringing with it the cold and rain that requires a wardrobe transition. I must confess to being ill prepared myself and as a consequence have been drenched in the freezing cold. Time to get out your boots and coat because fall is well and truly here. I may stick stubbornly to my floral dresses all year round, but the difference is in the layers. So I’m on the look out for fabulous tights and there are a couple of lovely posts to help me choose or even DIY my own style.

Links à la Mode: October 14th

• Beautifully Invisible: The Art of Fashion Photography, as told by guest contributor Casee Marie
• Best of bklyn: A guide to looking great on rainy days.
• Broke & Beautiful: Kelli Murray proves that fashion and style are both forms of art.
• Clothed Much: Blogging tips I’ve learned after a year and a half of blogging
• Dramatis Personae: If I Were Another Person- What would you wear if you were someone else?
• Forever Amber: My discovery of style blogging has also led to a discovery of places around my town that I didn’t even know existed
• Grit and Glamour: Friend Friday: Sticks, Stones, Comments, Criticism, and Kindness
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Bloggers Talk Monetizing Sites
• Intrinsically Florrie: A backstage look at the London Season debutantes of 2010 at the Queen Charlotte’s Ball, featuring Pronovias wedding dresses and Mikimoto jewelry.
• Leia’s Delights: Tutorial on how to enhance curly/wavy hair
• Love Brown Sugar: Why spend your hard-earned dollars on trends that will fade away next season? A Guide To Thrifting Trends
• Make the World a Prettier Place: A selection of beautiful vintage-inspired dresses
• Malvestida: I came across the idea of making a photoshoot about two of the things I love the most: music and fashion.
• Oranges and Apples: Beauty Essentials: Nivea Creme
• Other Dutch Animals: Mad men and English women: reject the high maintenance of the past and do vintage your way
• Skinny Purse: How To Wear Tights – Fall’s Essential Foundation Garment
• Shrimp Salad Circus: Get that extra mile out of your tights with seven fun and fashionable DIY projects!
• Style Eyes: Sustainable Clothing – Progress by the UK high street and online retailers since the launch of the sustainable clothing action plan
• The Citizen Rosebud: The story a a couple of backhanded compliments
• The Coveted: Is it Fall Yet? What to wear in transitional weather.
• The New Professional: DIY: Turn an A-line into a pencil skirt.

Vintage Black Cross-Body Bag

Vintage Black Cross-Body Bag, $27.00

I found this out thrifting a few weeks ago, and at first kept it for myself, but then decided to list it on my etsy store, since I already have a black purse and a cross-body purse and can't really justify having another. Its a really simple bag but I like how many pockets it has and it doesn't compete with an already-interesting outfit.

all that glitters isn't gold

All that Glitters Isn't Gold necklace, $12.00

I added this necklace to my etsy over the weekend. It's really delicate but simple so I wear it with just about anything.

Storybook Greeting Cards

Just added these vintage storybook greeting cards to my etsy shop:

 

$5.00 for a set of 4, at I DREAM IN CURSIVE on etsy

I love the weird little sayings on them--"Trouble in the Moonlight" would be a great card to send someone for valentines day ;)

Friend Friday: Criticism

This weeks Friend Friday is about criticism & comments!

1. Do you allow comments on your blog? Why or why not? I do allow comments, though I've thought about taking comments off of my other blog. I guess it depends on what you want out of your writing--do you want it to be JUST for you, or would you want feedback at times?


2. Do you think people at times leave comments that are insincere or not well-thought out? What's the point? I think that happens more with niche blogs (like fashion blogs) than everyday personal blogs, mainly to "get ahead" as bloggers. 

3. Would you ever leave a comment that could be considered negative? I leave positive comments--in general, I think people hear enough negativity throughout their day, why add that extra ounce?

4. Most people claim to like constructive criticism. Do you really and how do you offer that kind of criticism to others? I like it in my poetry, but not so much in my blogging, since I blog for fun not exactly as an art form--so I guess it depends on what I'm doing whether or not I want criticism. I only offer constructive criticism if someone asks for it.

5. Some bloggers don't allow comments in order to cut down on negativity. Do you think that is the way to go or are there other ways to deal with the negative vibes? You can always moderate your comments if you're worried about getting negative ones. If you're really serious about being a fashion blogger, you'll probably want to allow some negative comments in there (as long as they are more like constructive criticism and not just hateful bashing), but if you're just doing it for fun, I don't see a point in allowing negative comments.

these boots are made for walking

My husband and I are on a not-spending-money kick right now but with cold weather fast approaching, I really wanted to get some boots (flats just don't cut it, especially in the snow!). So, after I sold a few things on my etsy store, I was able to buy these very reasonably priced lovelies:

Karassa boots, Target, $29.99

I had wanted some Frye knockoffs--had eyed them and talked about them for months!--but when it came right down to it, I needed boots that I could wear with my dressy work clothes or with skinny jeans. The buckles and slouchiness has some of what i liked about the other boots, but since they have a heel they're a bit more dressy. I'm hoping I'll get them in the mail before my poetry reading this friday!


what type of boots are y'all coveting for the winter?

Links a la mode!

Fashion Blog Improvement

Edited by Jennine Jacob of Independent Fashion Bloggers
Whether you are contemplating starting a blog or if you’ve been bloggging for a while, getting to know the ropes is a never-ending journey. This week we have a nice round up of bloggers sharing how they do it, what they find important about blogging. From taking your own photos, whether or not to have comments,  and how to cover the fashion shows with your own twist, this is the week to buckle down and learn. Well, before the holidays set in anyway!

Links à la Mode: September 30th

• Boheme Noir: Burberry S/S 11 Show Coverage
• Brachman’s Sparrow: So you want to know how to grow your blog…
• Chic Steals: Marshall’s and the World of Off-Price Retailing
• Dramatis Personae: Fashion vs. Fatfashion Blogger
• Dressful: Fashion is Art, Not Trivial!
• Fashion Pulse Daily:New York Fashion Week Team’s Top Spring 2011 Trends
• Fete a Fete: Dolce & Gabana Evocative Beauty Fall 2010
• Hello Beauty: Bobbi Brown Black Velvet Fall 2010 Collection Review & Video
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: The Importance (and Unimportance) of Being Niche’d
• Leia’s Delights: No Comments?
• ModlyChic: How to Take Your Own Outfit Photos
• Retro Chick: Revies Illamasqua Lipstick
• Scarlet Letter Style: Are Boobs Really Back?
• Style Spotting: The Women of Warpaint
• The Column of Samantha Tyler: Decoding: Bestiary of the IT Girls
• The Coveted: Getting Inspired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• The Lingerie Addict: How to Dress Like Dita von Teese
• The Simpliy Luxurious Life: Tips for Looking Fantastic Each Day
• Vogue Gone Rouge: New Upcoming Designers Show
• Wit & Whimsy: Getting to know designer Phillip Lim and why everyone’s talking about him and his line