Help Those Devastated by Sandy

Pic from NYmag.com detailing the devastation and the New Normal by Joe Coscarelli.

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Happy Halloween!

Since Halloween is on a Wednesday it is not going to be the same rager that it usually is. At least not in public, what happens in the privacy of your own home does not count.

Xtina is really really frightening here. Maybe you could go as her? I'm a genie in a bottle ba-bay.

My boo and I as goths at my sister's Halloween party in conservative Wichita Fall,  TX. Some of her older friends asked if we "dressed like this all the time?" We didn't know them and they didn't know us, but that classically Southern woman's way of insulting you softly never-ever-ever gets old. We quickly flashed iPhone pics of our regular selves. 

Still without a costume? This little ditty by Daily Candy is both funny and useful. Who needs fancy-schmancy store bought costumes?

GOLD BELTS FOR EVERYONE!

 

ASOS/ Nicholas/ ASOS/ DVF/ Mettle

I LOVE this look. Like love love love love can't get enough of it in pictures or on my body. Those of you that know my style know that it mainly consists of lots of gold jewelry, blacks and a few turquoise pieces (to throw back to my New Mexico roots, ya'll). The black and gold street style image is so legit - even the coral and gold image is perfect althrough prett-ay spring-ay. I think the secret on this is to get a gold belt that is both wide and shiny. The second ASOS belt above probably doesn't fit the bill but I included it anyway because it's an A for effort.

Enjoy my new favorite song:

So Many Wonderful Things

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[CLUTCH]in' on a Photograph - Grouplove, sort of.

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Nothing says fancy party more like a boxy little bag that holds very few belongings. These pretty little things are the perfect accessory to hold a) credit card, b) cell phone {notice how they are all iPhone friendly}, c) a single key. Lipstick may be and usually is pushing it. I have made the mistake many a times of squeezing as much as I can into my little sparkly bag only to have to wrestle it closed all night long. It's best just to avoid that if possible and stick to the essentials. Plus, that is what your boo's pockets were made for - lipstick! gum! keys! That's why he's  your boo after all. 

For those of you that love to have one of your hands occupied all night long you are in luck. This trend has crossed over to the day time variety. However, I tend to carry more than the above three items in my bag on any given day so, my chosen solution is to carry a giant bag stuffed with said belongings and then place my dainty clutch inside of it so that when I head to lunch I can fake that I actually carried it all day. Oh, look at me so fabulous and low maintenance! Ah-ah. Yeah right.

I purchased the Zara version and carry it often (did you hear they have a home collection - online? it's zamazing). It fancies up any ensemble and with that price tag what is there to lose! Major bonus: it has a little gold chain so that you can actually use that other hand of yours and sling that bad boy over your shoulder. 

Yes, I am still obsessin' over this group[love] - pun intended.

Bieber Fever: It Got ME!

My Drug Store Beauty Staples

It isn't every day that I can trek up to Neiman's to purchase one of my staples (thanks a lot traffic and full time job). So, I decided to test out some staples that are just as good and a million times more convenient (also, 1/10 of the cost?!) - and I am hooked! These are my daily go-to's and I am pumped to share them with you:
 
1. Essie polish in Wicked: Almost as good as Chanel Vamp. - $8
2. Pssssst! Dry Shampoo: I used Oscar Blondi for YEARS and this works just as well or better without that annoying lemon scent. - $3.99
3. Essie polish in Good as Gold: Almost as good as Chanel Gold Fiction. - $8
4. 24 Hour Body hairspray by Tresemme: The benefits of hairspray without the stickiness or weight. - $5.50
5. Avalon Organics daily moisture: Organic and oil free! - $21.49
6. Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Berry Smoothie: Light like Chapstick and just as cheap. - $6.49
7. Burt's Bees body lotion: Once they added the pump I was hooked. - $12.99
8. Revlon PhotoReady foundation: Spread on like face lotion for light all over coverage. - $14.49

Skulls and BONES!

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Ferocious Fur Goods

Kelly Wearstler Red Fox Jacket & Proenza Schouler Chieko Bags

 

 

 

It's going to be 90 degrees again in Houston today, but that didn't stop me from perusing the fur that is all over the internet. I am dying over those Proenza Schouler Chieko bags! I have one of those hides on my floor from my boo's hunting trip - how the heck can I make it into a bag - who does that? And that Kelly Wearstler coat... Zamazing. Makes me think of Katniss Everdean? Well friends, I am off to Dallas for the TX OU game. Hook 'em!

Ps. It's going to be in the 80's there too. FML. Where are you fall?!

Grouplove at House of Blues Tonight & What I am Wearing

Really excited to see Grouplove tonight at Houston's House of Blues. What will I be wearing you ask? I was just wondering that myself...  

 jacket/ boots/ belt/ bag

Miu Miu Loafer Love for Fall 2012

Get them here and here.

Many of you know that I have quite the penchant for men's wear menswear. There is just something about the cut of a tuxedo jacket on my broad shoulders that screams sexay-laday. Loafers are no different. Femme them up and lookie there you are a lady-boy androgynous super star.I have one pair and have just about worn them out. Time for an upgrade! No one could provide a better upgrade than Miuccia Prada. Mui Mui is my MOST FAVORITE brand. For example, my two best friends were getting married, trying on dresses and how did I treat myself on that non-engaged day? With some vewry-vewry expensive Mui Mui wedges. It was dream. We've been soul mates ever since (pun intended).

The Wisdom of Neon Signs

That is true until you snap from too much pressure. What does the diamond have to do with anything?

Curse you mid-to-late twenties!

Any of my friends would tell you that this is my give it up to the universe saying.

Failure mostly, but also living an unfulfilled life. Plus, spiders?

Ah, the credo of the young and the restless. This also, like the pressure one above, is good until you nose dive into exhaustion.

Must Have for Fall 2012: BOOTS

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Not all boots are created equally - some are a million dollars and some aren't - click through to see. I particularly like these boots because they clearly say, "hey, I can totally kick your ass like a super hero, but still do my desk job with extremely warm shins and kneecaps." 

Ah, fashion I love you so.

Bracelets + Shoes + Poultry = Less Case of the Mondays?

Bracelet/ Shoes/ Luxury Chicks by Peter Lippman

Happy Friday!

1. GREEK FEST: Yesterday marked the first day of the 46th annual Houston Greek Fest. This was one of my first and most favorite events when I moved to Houston last year. Gyros + wine by the bottle + Greek dancing = One amazing block party! See you there?

2. NEW HAIRCUT: In 1 hour and 6 minutes I will be walking into a salon and cutting my hair into what I hope resembles the above. I am nervous and excited all at the same time, but mostly excited. My inspiration was found on Into the Gloss (the most amazing product/hair/makeup blog that I am now OBSESSED with) and I hope that the cut will also make me resemble her? Even just a little...

3. UT FOOTBALL: Tomorrow morning my boo and I are getting up bright and early to make the trek to Austin, TX to hang with old friends and attend the WVU/TX game tomorrow night. He was raised an Aggie so this for sure is going to get weird. Let's just say there is also a high percent chance I will buy him a burnt orange shirt and guilt him into wearing it. Also, did you see that the high is like in the low 70s tomorrow? GO F-A-L-L!

4. LEATHER JACKETS: Speaking of fall, I cannot wait to break out my amazing leather jacket. It's the perfect weight for the faux Texas winter plue it makes me feel like a total rock star. This amazing Chanel jacket was spotted on the streets of FW, but let me be the first to say that the ones from ASOS.com look just as amazing (p.s. that is where mine is from). 

5. PAPER BAGS: Although I am not into this look, but thought it deserved mentioning as a WTF Trend (remember those?). The Jil Sander version is a whopping 300 bones and it is literally paper. The Celine version debuted this week on the runway of Celine and all I can say is... At least it's leather? But is still real-real ugly? And not practical? Like a mangled clutch? Don't do it friends. Unless you are going for that hobo look in which case go for it. At your own risk, of course.

My Latest Obsessions: Fashion, People, Things, Etc.

1. Did you Lena Dunham has a fashion spread for ASOS.com? It is truly adorbs, but the best part is that she is totes a normal girl (that kinda makes me gag bc it is code for a lil chubs?). Check out the five pick spread here.

2. Kan-yeazy-so-sleazy at Paris Fashion Week. This guy really has the charisma/confidence/something (yes, that includes his asshole-ishness) that makes him irresistible to the camera and white girls that love rap all over the US (just like me).

3. This shark tooth necklace from Brooklyn designer, Brash Cat, just shot to the top of my Christmas (in October?) list. Buy it here.

4. No need to explain, just Channing Tatum for GQ looking all abs-y.

5. What is cooler than a black disco ball? Very little. Can you buy it? Does it glisten in the dance floor spot light? TBD. Here's where it's from.

6. Many on you know my obsession with Mui Mui shoes. Mainly because they fit (these wide feet) and also because they are comfortable - truly. These are the right color for fall and just seem serious enough for a workplace (if that workplace happens to be at my office, Laura U, Inc.). Buy them here.

7. Something about Balenciaga's jewelry that always has me going. I still dream about the giant shark tooth necklace (and late night search for it on the internets) and wish that it was mine. This S/S 2013 multi-finger ring is no different. See the entire show here.

8. This street fashion picture from the Milan Fashion Week has me completely hypnotized. That guy? Those old ladies? The hair? The cigarette? The accessories? Amazing. Photo by Jerome Sessini.

9. This shirt was spotted at NYC Fashion Week on a tres stylist fashion show goer (almost typed street walker - true, but not entirely). I want it, but it is SOLD OUT. Hate those words. Wait for it to maybe become available here. Have a sewing machine? Learn how to make your own here.

10. Last, but definitely not least, is this hilarious photo of my dad on the verge of a solid brown out following a show that he invested in in Vegas with his best buds. Let's just say his text message from that night is still pretty legendary on Instagram (don't forget to follow me today: @AftonyBalogna). Out-of-town Gary is the best!