Spring is Just Around the Corner! Hot Colors and Styles for 2011

Call me crazy, but doesn't it seem like florals, stripes and pastels are in every Spring? Animal Prints seem to float between Fall and Spring every year, and never seem to go out of style! 

After searching the internet, current popular fashion magazines, and watching for Spring trends on t.v., and listening to them on the radio, here are some of the most popular trends that I found for Spring 2011:

Colors: Yellow, coral, ice cream colors, navy blue


Patterns: Stripes, plaids, animal prints


Decade: 70's Boho Hippy Glam. Think long and flowy silhouettes (think maxi skirts and dresses) and gorgeous big floppy hats. (Pic above is of Jessica Simpson's Boho Hat, available for $36). Love it!!!

Surprise, Surprise : Is it Spring without florals? This season, romantic breezy floral dresses are everywhere. I love this trend! One of my favorites is the floral dress collection from Hills alum LC Lauren Conrad, (yes, she has a clothing collection for those of you that didn't know) available at Kohl's for $41.99. See picture below from the Kohls' website.

I know that many people nowadays do not follow the "No white until Easter" rule, but I still feel strange wearing full out spring styles and wearing white (one of my favorite colors to wear) until after that time. The bad news is Easter does not fall until April 24th this year! I guess I will just have to hold off wearing my white shoes until then, but some of my Spring clothing will definitely need to make an appearance!



Happy Friday everyone!

Are you wearing the right bra size? I wasn't!

For as long as I can remember, my bra size has been a 34B. I don't know if I have ever been measured. My mom just started buying me bras in that size in junior high, and that is what I thought I was. Always. Not once did it ever occur to me that my bra size could have had changed. (By the way, your breasts can decrease and increase in size throughout your life. This can be due to gaining weight, losing weight, having children, or natural breast growth).  We are talking about a long time folks, almost 20 years of wearing the same size bra. While researching one of my earlier posts, I came across an article on bra sizes on the internet.  The article said that women surprisingly don't often size themselves up a cup size, they size themselves down.  Then it listed some things to look for to see if you are wearing the wrong size bra. Here are some of the red flags:

1. Breasts spilling over the side or front of your bra.
2. Bra straps feel too tight.
3. Bra band feels too tight.

Well, number one was a definite for me, so I decided to measure myself. Sure enough, I was not a 34B, I was actually a 34C. In complete and utter shock, I then proceeded to my neighborhood Target (the best store on the planet), and bought myself two 34C bras.

Well, the bras I purchased fit perfectly. My chest actually looked better than ever because I was no longer being squished down in to a bra size that wasn't correct.

If you are experiencing any of the issues I listed above, and you have a tape measure handy, I suggest following the steps below to check and make sure you are the bra size you think you are. You may end up being really surprised.

How to find your bra size:

Using a flexible tape measure, remove your top and bra, and do the calculations below.

Step 1: Measure your Band Size- This is the area right underneath your breasts.

If the measurement is even: Add four inches
If the measurement is odd: Add five inches

Step 2: Measure your Cup Size- This is the distance from the tip of your nipples around your back.

Step 3: Calculate your measurements- Subtract your band size from your cup size.

Then find the difference below:

If Your Answer Is:	Your Cup Size Is:
0"-1/2" (1.3 cm)	AA
1/2"- 1" (2.6 cm)	A
2" (5.1 cm)	B
3" (7.6 cm)	C
4" (10.2 cm)	D
5" (12.7 cm)	DD or E
6" (15.2 cm)	DDD or F
7" (17.8 cm)	G
8" (20.3 cm)	H
9" (22.9 cm)	I
10" (25.4 cm)	J

So, if your band size is 34" and your cup size is C, your bra size is 34C.

This formula may not work for everyone, so if you have any questions, visit your local department store or Victoria's Secret for a professional bra fitting. Also, make sure to try on your bras before buying, as standard bra sizes can differ.

Fashion Friday! I Heart Betsey Johnson Bags and Shoes

I love Betsey Johnson's style, it is feminine and girly, but with an edge. In the last couple of years, the iconic designer has expanded her line to include a line of adorable handbags and shoes that are relatively affordable and widely available. Relatively meaning that most of the handbags and shoes are $250 and under.

Right now I have my eyes on the Karrie Polly With a Bow shoes (picture above), the Colandra shoes, and the Ruffed Sling bag... oh, the list goes on and on. Check out http://www.betseyjohnson.com/, and I promise you will find something you love.


 BTW, Betsey also has a line of inexpensive but adorable make up bags called Betseyville. The bags have fun prints and unexpected touches that make each style unique. To find Betseyville products, visit http://www.thefind.com/qq-Betseyville-Bags.

If you shop on the Betsey Johnson website this weekend, you can take advantage of the Presidents Sale, and take advantage of all items being 25% off!

Happy Friday!

Warm Up Your Winter Face! Xen-Tan Perfect Bronzer

I don't understand why most bronzers these days are loaded with sparkle, make you look orange or beige, or take ten layers to get any color (and I have light skin). When you tan naturally, you don't tan sparkley orange! I have been on the search for the perfect bronzer for a long time now, and I think I have finally found one that comes close, Xen-Tan Perfect Bronze. The bronzer comes in a gold compact, and can easily be applied to from cheekbone to apple to nose (in a W shape across your face) and on to the other side, with a fluffy brush. Perfect Bronze is the first bronzer I have ever found that gives you believable color like you have actually been in the sun. The color is kind of scary dark in the compact, but once you put it on, you'll see that it can make even the fairest of skins look realistically tan. Perfect Bronze is also sheer and has buildable color, meaning you can add as much as you want without making your face look cakey. Xen-Tan advertises that Perfect Bronze does not have sparkle, but actually there are a couple of sparkles in it.  Even so, the color still comes out matte on your face.

Downside- Xen-Tan Perfect Bronzer isn't cheap. It sells for around $35. The gold compact that it comes in is a little chintzy for the price you pay.

Bottom Line- This bronzer has sheer, buildable color, and actually gives you a realistic tan. It is totally worth the price.

Where to buy it- Nordstrom's, or http://www.xentan.com/.

Other great bronzers include: Larenim Goddess Glo,  Palladio Mosaic Bronzer

The secret is to look for as flat, matte and brown a bronzer as possible, that is within your skin tone range. Avoid sparkles, and orange, and muted tones that are too light for your skin. You would be amazed how dark of a bronzing product you can work with if you have a light touch.

Happy Valentine's Day! Love's Benefit for Beauty and Health

Here are some of the beauty and health benefits of being in love:

Lower Cortisol (caused by stress) Levels- Stress can cause acne flairups. Lower cortisol levels means more clearer, glowing skin.

Higher Dopamine Brain Levels- Along with higher Dopamine levels comes an increased sense of well being and an overall increased mental state.

More Regular Menstrual Cycles- Women who have regular sex are more likely to be regular than those who do not have sex regularly.

Healthier Heart- Lower stress levels due to feelings of love lead to a healthier heart.

Longer Life- Research shows that happily married people tend to live longer than those who are unmarried.

Stronger Immune System- Happy couples have a stronger immune system, and are able to fight off sickness and infection than unhappy couples.

Increased Intelligence- Feelings of love increase nerve growth for about one year. Nerve growth increases brain function.

Higher Fitness Levels- Feelings of love can help you lose weight and increase your overall fitness.

Now, for those that are going through a hard break up or divorce this Valentine's Day, there are some beauty benefits:

Stronger Immune System- If you were in a stressfull relationship, chances are the break up will give you a higher sense of calm; and as a result, a stronger immune system.

Higher Fitness Levels- Spending time with a significant other can lead to little time to work out.  More free time means more time to work on you.

Higher Sense of Well Being- Spending more time with friends and more time to yourself to enjoy the things you love can increase your sense of well being that may have been depleted due to a stressfull relationship.

Weight Loss- Stress due to a break up can lead to weight loss. Although the weight loss it is caused by something negative, the positive is that you can start again fresh with a thinner you.

Whether you are single or attached, I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day! Be sure to tell the people you love that you love them. Not just significant others, but friends and family too. You would be surprised how a small gesture to someone that means a lot to you can mean the world to them.

Wherever You May Go
You’re in my thoughts and in my heart
Wherever I may go;
On Valentine’s Day, I’d like to say
I care more than you know.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

XOXO,

Megan



Fashion Friday! Milk & Honey- Design Your Dream Shoes!

Now why didn't I think of this? Milk & Honey lets you design your own pair of dream shoes, including heel size, style, adornments, heel height, etc.!  They also have vegan/vegetarian models! One drawback to this site is it costs between $200-$300 to design your own pair. The high price actually makes sense when you consider that someone is hand designing these shoes just for you according to your specifications. If you are getting married, attending a very important event, or just really, really love shoes, then the cost may be worth it. If not, at least you can play around with the design app tab called Design Now which lets you begin designing your own shoes from scratch. Be careful! You may just want your own pair!

For the less creative types, there is a tab on the website called Inspiration Gallery, which lets you view popular styles to get your creative juices flowing. There is also a chat box that directly links you to a Milk & Honey representative who can answer any of your questions concerning getting started, price, etc.

Popular celebrity followers include Busy Phillips (her pumps are a best seller), Ginnifer Goodwin, Emily Deschanel and Selena Gomez ,whose adorable Dorothy inspired red-glitter No Place Like Home pumps (picture above), made me want to click my heels three times (you can also purchase a less expensive similar pair at Yoox online for $160) Like the shoes you design from scratch, you can also select the heel height for the already-created Inspiration Gallery designs like the No Place Like Home shoes. So, girls with a love for a high heel height can choose four inches or less, while taller girls (and girls with sensitive tootsies) can also select  a heel height of two inches or less if desired.

Milk & Honey offers help to those people who just can't find the exact shoes they are looking for (and have a fat wallet).  The good news is, once a site like this appears on the internet, other (less expensive) sites are sure to follow!

Happy Friday!

Picture Posing- Go Ahead and Take My Picture!

During college I had my picture taken almost every time I went to a party whether I liked it or not. Back then, your picture was going to be available from party pics whether you had a goofy smile on your face and hips as wide as the Sierra Madre, or not. There wasn't even Facebook back then! I can't even imagine what young girls go through nowadays in High School and College, having no control over what pictures are taken and posted of them online (Be careful!). Anyways, having to deal random pictures being taken has made me somewhat of a joke with my friends who say that now I pose for the camera ALL THE TIME. Well, I guess I do. I do it because I have to. Doesn't everyone want to take the best pictures they can?  Here are some picture-posing tips I have learned from years of trial and lots of error.

First things first, the camera is all about angles, and if you smile and pose at the camera straight on, you are going to look bigger than you are. Unless you have a killer body, never face the camera directly. Turn to the side whenever you can, place your hands on your hips with one hip slightly raised, and place one foot in front of the other. If you are in the middle of a group and can't turn to the side, at least place one foot in front of the other. This will make your legs look thinner. If you have wide arms, try to stand sideways with your hand on your hip(s), with your elbow(s) angled as far back as you can. This will make your arms look thinner. If you are in a big group, try to stand in the middle so that you can put your arms around and behind the people next to you, this will help disguise your chicken wings (if you have them!).

If your cheeks are of the chipmunk variety (like mine), always lift your chin slightly higher than feels comfortable if you are facing forward towards the camera.  I know this feels awkward, but it will make your cheeks look thinner. To give your face an even more angled look, turn your chin slightly towards your shoulder and lift your cheekbones up. I have one cheek that is slightly larger than the other on my left side, so I always try to lift that side up to balance out my other cheek.

Also, as far as dressing is concerned, one tip I have learned the hard way is: don't wear any kind of babydoll or empire waisted tops or dresses if you are going to get your picture taken! The billowy waist that looks so cute in real life is going to look like a big stomach in pictures, even if you are tiny. No matter what your weight concerns are, dressing to play up your assets always looks great in pictures. If you have a tiny waist, cinch it in, if you have a great chest, play it up (tastefully).

Finally, one last tip. If you are over the age of 22, it really doesn't look great to have a drink in your hand in any picture. So, put down that drink before any picture is taken, even if you are at a party. I know this sounds really picky, but think of all the people that are your friends on Facebook, for example. Friends, family, co-workers...People will always assume the worst, and if you have a drink in your hand in one picture, people will assume you were boozing it up all night, even if you only had two drinks. I constantly go through Facebook and try to delete questionable old pictures where I have drinks in my hand whenever I can. It just doesn't look good.

Here are my picture-posing tips in a nutshell:

1. In pictures, if you are standing up, always turn to the side, with your  hand on one hip, and one foot in front of the other.
2. Lift up your chin when facing forward in pictures, or angle your chin towards your shoulder.
3. If your face is unbalanced, lift up the bigger side when taking a picture.
4. Never wear baby-doll or empire waist dresses in pictures.
5. Play up your assets.
6. Put down any drinks before a picture is taken.

If you forget any of these tips, look at US Weekly at the pictures of female celebrities. They are the best posers of all, because the press is just waiting to call them fat or expecting. Just don't look at any pictures of Lindsey Lohan. Well, unless you are looking for what not to do.

How Could Eye Forget? The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

When I wrote my post Eye-Shadow 101 and listed the steps for making an everyday eye look, I forgot to include one of the most important things for your eyes (almost as important as mascara). It is the eyelash curler! My eyelashes are thin and long, but you can't even see how long they are without an eyelash curler and mascara.  Eyelash curlers may look scary, but they are easy to use and they give your eyelashes a curl that opens up your eyes and makes your eyes more noticeable. Make sure you use it before you put on your mascara, or you can pull your eyelashes out! (I know because it happened to me!) This is a good reason to buy a high quality eyelash curler. Cheaper eyelash curlers tend to pinch, which makes you more likely to yank your hand away, and pull your eyelashes out.

Out of all the eyelash curlers out there, the Shu Uemura eyelash curler is the best there is. It is a favorite with make up artists and beauty editiors. It is kind of expensive for an eyelash curler at $20, but it is definitely worth it. Especially when you think of the fact that you will use it every day, and it works better than any other brand you can buy. Make the splurge!

If you can't afford the Shu Eumura version, the Revlon eyelash curler is a less expensive option. With eyelash curlers, you really do get what you pay for, so make the small investment!

Shu Eumura Eyelash Curler- **NEWSFLASH** This eyelash curler is no longer available in the U.S. through Sephora!!! It must be ordered through the Shu Uemura website. Shu Uemura website, $19 plus shipping. (You can also find them on Ebay for a little bit cheaper. For now!)

Accolades- Allure Editor's Choice

Revlon Eyelash Curler- Available at drugstores $4-5, and online. Revlon website.

Fashion Friday! Tory! Tory! Tory!

I have wanted a pair of  Tory Burch Reva Flats for a couple years now, and I may have passed the height of the craze, but I still would love to have a pair of the iconic flats. The gathered backings, the interconnected T's on the toe...style and comfort in one pair of cozy little flats. The only thing standing between me and these gorgeous ballerinas is the price. A pair of Reva ballerina flats can run anywhere between $195 to $200 a pair. That is waaaay more than I would ever like to pay for a pair of shoes (purses, well that is another thing) At any rate, I have searched Ebay and even the somewhat sketchy IOffer for a pair of Revas, and I just haven't felt right about spending close to $100 on a pair of "authentic" Tory Burch Revas that I am not sure are authentic at all. Recently, I came across the Tory Burch Outlet website, http://www.tory-burch-outlet.com/, and I found dozens of the Reva styles for $89 a piece, only about $25 more than the questionable pairs I found on IOffer that ship from China.  They not only have the classic black Reva ballerina flat available, they also have the adorable Lace Ballerina flats as well. All styles are $89 with FREE SHIPPING.  I have my eyes on the metallic silver (in picture below), and the white for Spring.  Now I am not sure why these styles are so inexpensive at the Tory Burch Outlet when the very same pairs are currently available for $195 at Neiman Marcus, but I am not complaining. Tory, Tory, Tory!!!

Happy Friday!