Gossip Girl and White Jeans

Last night was the first episode of Gossip Girl.
OMGG.
It's just so good! My parents are afraid I think it's real life so they want to ban me from watching it.
It's obviously not real life, it's sooo much better.
And, so what if I like it? People are way more obsessed with Harry Potter.
And they can all go to Harry Potter World, but people who love Gossip Girl don't have anywhere to go.
Oh, never mind. New York.
But, blond moment aside, I swear to god me and the writers *must* be on the same wavelength. First, Blair transfers to Columbia, which is the college I want to go to. Then she decides to become a fashion magazine editor.
Now, how can you blame me for thinking it's real (which I don't anyway)? It's completely my life!!
Well, it will be my life. Hopefully. When I get older.
And Chuck...*sigh*

Ok. So. Getting back on topic here.
Friday was a dress down day, so I wore my big Theory shirt and white skinny jeans. When I came home, the best friend texted me to ask if I could do her nails later (I was going to her house) and if I could bring a color (at least 5 colors). So I took out a couple of them when I remembered my Nubar was still in a sleep over bag from when I brought it to another friend's house, and when I reach up to get it on a shelf in my bathroom ....
SALLY HANSEN MIDNIGHT IN NY DROPPED AND COMPLETELY EXPLODED.
All over my white skinnies. And my bathroom is white. Woopteedoo.

These were my favorite pants ever. Like, legitimately. Amazing pants.
I ended up getting a new pair of the same pants, and I found out they came in blue too.  Dramatic suspense. Would you like to know the name of the best pants ever?
Are you suspensed?
And, more importantly, is that a word?
Are you wondering why I'm posting from school?
Do you even care?
If you don't care, why are you even here?
Are you tired of me asking questions?
Do they reveal an internal conflict?
Genetic Denim Shane Cigarette in pale?
Did you mistake the question above for a question?

I forgot where I'm going with this...but yeah. Those are the pants. They're a little stretch so they can be really skinny and not uncomfortable but they don't verge into jegging territory. The wrong cut of white jeans can make you look really fat, so don't just go by what I'm saying. Go somewhere with a lot of different brands (they don't need to be expensive or well known, jeans are jeans so go for the best cut) and try some on. It could take 50 different pairs to find your perfect pants. 

Oh, and yes, white jeans are in. But keep them skinny to avoid looking like an old person too mature. And you can wear them in any season, as Eric Daman illustrates in his book, which you may or may not have.

Some recipes for white jeans outfits:
White Jeans + boatneck tee + leather sandals = chill weekend chic
White Jeans + trendy top + loafers = nighttime ready
White Jeans + chunky sweater = chilly cute

White Jeans + a neon bikini top + high black boots + silk scarf = go back inside and change you moron

<3

Backpacks

The backpack. I mean, sure, it's great for your back and stuff I guess and it fits all your stuff, but it's...uhh.....yeah. It makes me look like a hunchback, and how Quasimodo ever managed to nail Esmeralda I have no idea. So today, we're going to explore what happens when the backpack's dad's more attractive brother marries a supermodel: and the tote is born!

Why does one want a backpack?
Well, there are many reasons why a backpack is the obvious choice for preppies-in-training. For one, they're humongous. I need a laptop for school, and a backpack easily holds that plus all of my binders. People like to write all over their backpacks because they're not ever going to use them for anything else. And, the worst excuse of them all, everyone else has them.
These are not excuses my preps.
You know, there was this thing, called evolution? And people have, you know, two arms? You wear the tote on one arm and (if applicable) carry the laptop in the other. This is not as hard as it seems. Oh, and when do you need ALL of your binders? Really?? Another thing I'm not sure you're aware of (I mean, if you forgot people had two arms...): school likes to provide you with lockers. I keep everything in there except for what I need that night for homework and - ta da! The extra room is no longer necessary. Plus you put a lot less weight on your back/shoulders.

I mean, ok, if you really MUST take EVERYTHING, plus books (my brother's school makes them carry everything back and forth but mine doesn't), a backpack may be justifiable. I'll forgive you. But, for those skeptics out there, it really is just as easy to carry a tote and fit everything. My suggestions:

Lesportsac: because they have cute, colorful patterns and a good amount of pockets. Some of them even have a laptop case.
 
A leather hobo: with big bags being so in these days, it's easy to find one big enough to fit your school stuff. Easily takes you from school to the mall.

 

Longchamp: classic and the perfect size. This will last you for years.
 

And, if you feel absolutely naked without a bag on your back, I'm still completely lusting for one from Vanport Outfitters. Maybe as a graduation present?

 

The best part about these "backpacks" is that, unlike a bridesmaid dress, you actually WILL wear these again! I hope I pleaded my argument well; I am a member of the debate team, after all. But, if you're still not convinced, you better save me a space on your Jansport. XO

Tuesmon (?) News

I have so so so much to tell you. And it's Tuesday. But I thought it was Monday. So now I'm all mixed up again. Ok. So, here it goes.
We went to Ocean Reef (a club in Key Largo) for the weekend with my cousins, and it's a prep's dream. Seriously. Like, they wouldn't even let me into the dining room in the hotel for breakfast wearing my denim shorts, so I got an opportunity to wear my Parker dress. Which I was quite happy about actually.
Around the hotel there is a beach club and a little town, where everyone drives golf carts. Although the state of Florida does not legally approve me qualified to drive a car, they say nothing whatsoever about golf carts.



...which is why this happens. Honestly! It wasn't nailed down! It was loose anyway! And, it was my first time parking. MUCH worse could've happened...

But, forserious, in the little town there was a Vineyard Vines store, where I picked up these items...
True Prep, because...well...yeah. Super hilarious reference guide, except it does bash Gossip Girl, which I am SO not happy about.




me ---> :O

And, this tie. Because who couldn't use another adorable tie? I'll tell you who: my brother. Which is why I stole this from him. Heehee...LOOK! TURTLES!





And now, on a completely unrelated-to-preppiness note, my friend RS just got back from India and got me some *gorgeous* stuff. And she said it was super inexpensive. I should go to India. RS says im not cultured enough. I think I'm cultured plenty. I mean, I took Global Citizen. Duhh.
Anyway, here's what I got. Before she left, she wrapped string around all of my friends' fists so that she could get perfect-fitting bangles for everyone. Mine are red with gold (how Indian!). Bangles are traditionally made of glass, but ours are made of metal. I think it's safer that way anyway.



Plus, as a belated birthday present (September 23 - just in case you want to buy me a birthday present, too just to let you know) she got me these fab shoes. They're definetly set to become one of my go-to alternates. They only have leather soles, so whenever I wear them I slip all around the science room. Oh, also, there's no right and left - you just put whichever one you want on whichever foot. It's a little uncomfortable at first but they kind of fit to your feet after a while.



Lastly, speaking of belated birthday presents, my GOSH holographic finally arrived from London! It's too gorgeous for words - literally looks exactly like the swatches. I didn't use base or top coat because I heard it causes faster chipping, and the manicurist looked at me like I was psycho.



Oh, this polish. If I could marry it, I would. And we could have little mini rainbow children together...

Just kidding!

You all know my heart belongs to Chuck Bass ;)
xo

Outfit of the Day

So today, instead of doing homework which I should've been doing, I decided to go through my closet and see what outfit would aspire. And, what do you know! I found one that worked!

This picture shows the eyelet print on the jacket

I'm wearing a short sleeve leather eyelet jacket buttoned to the top so it acts as a shirt and my new theory gray pleated skirt. My grandma gave me the jacket a while ago and I completely forgot it was in my closet until today. Yes, I am wearing a white cropped leather jacket as a shirt. Why not? Go for it! If I hadn't been experimenting in my closet with what I already had, I would've never put together across this outfit!
Lesson: when experimenting with what you already have to find new combinations, put together what you wouldn't normally think goes. While you might put together 9 disgusting clashing messes, you could find 1 that you love.

IT'S A LIE.

This is from a spread in this month's Vogue about trends. You know what really makes me mad??? THIS.

Do you see what that says??? First of all, the orange and yellow and green color in the bottle? NOT REALLY THERE. It's just a metallic green-tinted black. Also, HOLOGRAPHIC?! This polish is NOT a holographic. This is what a holographic black looks like,

and this is what Black Pearl looks like. (swatches courtesy of alllacqueredup.com and scrangie.com)



This really bothers me because it's COMPLETE false advertising. How much cooler does the picture in Vogue look?? Black, blue, yellow, orange, green, holographic! So cool! But then you get it and it's just a plain 'ol metallic. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a nice color, and it's definitely the star of the Chanel Spring 2011 makeup collection, but rainbow holo? No way jose. Also, I feel like the magazine is just pushing this color because it's new and it's Chanel. I love Chanel and I think they always have their finger on the pulse of new trends, but the way Vogue makes it seem soo cool and then...psych! I know I seem like I'm getting a bit crazy about this, but it's only because, how many people will see/read that, spend $25 or more (with the shipping) on it, and get it only to discover it's not even CLOSE to what the picture and description say! I can't believe Vogue would print this kind of mistake...was mine a fluke? Comment if you found one with a picture representing the REAL Black Pearl.

Vintage Thing

Although that nail polish is the coolest thing on the planet, that post was really short so I'm posting another short post and hopefully together they'll make one regular-sized post.
So on Saturday I woke up bright and early (aka 11) and went with my grandma and aunt to the Palm Beach antique fair. Which, for a completely normal teenager like me, is what I look forward to for months. So you get into this gigantic room with another room next to it all filled with isles of antiques. Yay! I had wanted a pocket watch necklace for a while now so that's what I decided to look for (note: when going to this kind of thing it's always best to have something to be looking for). I finally found the perfect one: it's working, it's old, it has blue hands, it's gold-filled (which is better than gold for these kind of things because it's way less expensive and it's not like you can tell the difference), and it has the detailing around the sides that I wanted. But then I wanted it on a chain and the person we bought it from had some chains but they were too short. So, being the creative person that I am, I connected two chains on each side and - voila! It's pure vintage perfection.

BLUE HANDS!!

the finished product...

Nubar 2010

Coolest.
Nail polish.
Ever.

Nuf said.

Slouchy vs. Structured

Are you ready to rumbleeeeeee! It's time. For the prime-time event: the bag wars. Slouchy vs. Structured. A fight to the death.
No, but seriously. What do you prefer? Big and slouchy or small and structured? What about the forgotten clutch? Let's weigh the pros and cons.

Slouchy
pros: big enough to fit all of your stuff, lots of pockets to keep organized, comfortable to hold on your shoulder, casual enough for everyday
cons: end up accumulating lots of extra stuff, the stuff ends up collecting on the bottom, can be heavy from all of the stuff and size
Big slouchy bags are always a favorite of mine, plus they are perfect substitutes for bulky backpacks. A favorite of celebrities, slouchy bags are awesome to throw all your stuff in and go. What I put in mine? Plum lip tint, my phone (when it's charged - aka never), my iPad, my fashion notebook, and a pair of oversize shades.

Structured
pros: small enough to only fit the essentials and not accumulate junk, comfortable size, cross-body straps perfect for hands-free shopping
cons: can be too small for some items, short straps can get annoying to hold, can look too formal for everyday
Structured bags have been making a comeback this year since fall. They're a really chic way to add polish to any outfit. The best way to pull off a structured bag is with a cross-body, because it's comfortable and convenient. My go-to bag for going out is a small olive suede structured cross-body with one front pocket. Look for one with an interesting pattern, color, or texture to keep it from looking like you stole your mom's bag. Victoria Beckham recently launched a lines of bags that includes this gorgeous structured thing. Nothing less than posh from Posh herself!

Clutch
pros: big enough for a phone and a lipgloss (the nighttime essentials), embellished extras add flair to an outfit, light weight
cons: can be uncomfortable to hold because of the lack of straps, might be too small for some needed things like a wallet
The perfect choice when going to a party or for dinner. Big enough to hold only what you'll need when heading out, a clutch is especially best when it doesn't have too many pockets and zippers. This way it leaves all the room (which isn't really much) to put your things in. For a fresh twist or to wear for day, try  an oversize clutch or an envelope clutch - yes, it looks like an envelope!

Which would be your choice? I adore them all...who could choose!

Lip Stuff

Sometimes going to buy makeup can be a little overwhelming - you go in thinking you need something, see something else, and by the end are sometimes even convinced you need a whole new product. Sometimes it's great to listen to the salespeople because they do know what they're talking about, but it's always good to be on the same page. Today I'm going to decode what you're really buying when you go in for a new lip color.

Lip gloss - the most common. High gloss (er, duh!), high shine, high color. With lip gloss, you have 2 o options: a glossy sheer color or one with a little shimmer. Most of the time they do have some kind of  shimmer or duo-chrome effect that you can see in the tube, but don't worry, it doesn't come out that much on your lips. Most shimmer is really only there for depth, so if you're a glitter-phobe don't be alarmed. If shimmer is still not your thing, you can always go for the pure color, but the only real collection I can think of of these is Mac Lipglass, and they're pretty sticky. Most collections have one or two sheers, so as a general rule if you see one that's a bright pink, it's the non-shimmer. Again, don't be alarmed with these because what looks offending in the tube can look perfectly flattering on your lips. There are some lip glosses that promise to do other things, like plump or define, but be careful with these as they can sometimes cause negative reactions. Make sure you test it before you buy it because you would never want to spend money on a good gloss and leave the house the next day with blow-up lips. When buying a good lip gloss, remember not only to look at the color but to try it on, either on your lips (only if it's completely sanitary!) or on your hand (better option). Sometimes a gloss is super sticky or thick and you won't be able to tell unless you have it on.

Lip tint - my favorite. Lip tints come in all kinds of forms and strengths, ranging from a pot of the sheerest balm to a creamy stick. Lip tints are the best for winter days because they not only give you a natural wash of color but also (usually) moisturize. The most moisturizing would be found in a pot and called something like 'lip butter'. The color of these are the most sheer and natural looking because they're mostly just lip balm. A step up from this would be a true lip tint, like the Fresh ones. A little stronger than this would be something like the Bobby Brown sticks, which are like super moisturizing sheer lip stick. It comes in a tube like a lip stick but comes out super natural and sheer. Don't be afraid of the pot/tube color when shopping for lip tints, they won't look anything like that on your lips! Look for a color that will complement your skin tone to start off with, and always do the hand-test method.

Lip stain - the popularity of these have been growing due to their long lasting nature. Lip stains are exactly what you would imagine: they come in a bottle or a marker-like stick and apply a natural stain of color that is supposed to last all day. The biggest issue with lip stains are that a) you have to be really careful when applying not to mess up because it's a stain and b) they don't moisturize as much as a tint. You still have to moisturize regularly with a tint, but you get a permanent pretty blush on your lips that looks like you just woke up that way. You don't need to shell out the big bucks on a lip tint; something like Revlon Just Bitten works just as well as the more expensive Benefit lip tint and the marker shape is safer for travel.

Lip stick - the thickest and most heavy-duty of the lip stuff. Comes in 2 finishes: matte and creamy. Matte finish is usually hot in winter, especially matte red, but tends to leave your lips dry. I really like the look of matte, but a lot of people prefer creamy. Lip stick is best for night and looks silly when you wear it to school. 

Lip color is an essential part of every makeup routine. Know what you need so you can get what you need. 

I'm so tired now. School starting has not been good on my break sleep routine. Wish it started at 9 much? 

XO