Dallas

In a land of bottle blondes, fake boobs, and self tanner- I found myself surprisingly at home. Maybe it's my natural love for anyplace warmer than this New Jersey winter we're having, or maybe I really enjoyed seeing college guys dressed in total frat guy prep... either way, if you don't see me in the dirty Jerz, its because I've moved to Dallas.

Aside from cowboy boots of multiple hues and styles, there were several huge trends that I noticed. Like any major metropolis home to many different walks of life, the styles vary and range depending on who you are... but there are a few trends that reappear again and again.

The Side Boob
I don't know how this even works or why some girls think this is a cute look, but the majority of your boob hanging out on the side of your dress or shirt is not "sexy". Frankly, it made me lose my appetite seeing you yank up your whole boob when you thought no one was watching to create the "perky" effect. I've seen this look at concerts with a ripped muscle tee tucked into high waisted shorts- it's bad enough then but doing it with could-have-been cute dresses just takes it to a whole different level. I'm really considering walking up to the next girl with her boob hanging out and asking her how she deals with yanking the duct tape off at the end of the night instead of purchasing a bandeau like the rest of the human race (err, feminine race).

Silk Rompers
Granted, not all made out of real silk, but the flowy could-be-a-dress-but-actually-a-romper made an appearance many times throughout my visit. I LOVE THIS LOOK! Rompers can seriously work anything. My cousin wore a printed romper with a knit swear thrown over it and sandals, and the next night I spotted several long sleeve rompers paired with heels and statement jewelry. So versatile, so cute, so easy (except when peeing, then you have to take off your whole romper which is a hassle but so it goes, beauty is pain). Great rompers can be found from Free People, Anthropologie, Nasty Gal, and Urban Outfitters.

Loose Curls
I think this must be a Southern girls' ode to Taylor Swift, but regardless, the thick, loose curls were all the rage. I wishhhhh my hair would hold curls better because I would definitely try to rock this look. I love the flouncy curls that make any outfit look cuter and more feminine. If anyone has a great tutorial or secret on how to achieve these great curls, drop some knowledge in the comments section below, por favor.

Weather Confusion
This isn't a trend, more of an observation. Texas springs can be very bipolar, one day it's rainy and cold, the next day its about 80 degrees and sunny. There were a wide mix of styles because of this. Around the college campuses and local hangouts, most people opted for summery clothing and freshly sprayed tans. In other parts, however, I saw Ugg boots and North Face jackets! If I lived in Texas and there was an inkling of warmth, I would go with it fully. Who wants to walk around sweating in fur and fleece, anyway?

Cross your fingers I convince my family to move to Dallas....y'all!!!

Into the Gloss

Being a girl, lip gloss is like a rite of passage. Starting with hoarding Lip Smackers in fourth grade and stealing swipes from our mother's tubes, lip gloss is an institution for any woman. Through my many year's of trying to be beautiful but realizing that I literally have no idea what I'm doing and am way to lazy to learn, I have picked up my fair share of drugstore lip balms, sticks, glosses, tints, pencils, and stains. Here is a list I composed of a few of my favorites (aka the best cheap lip glosses I've bought that I can remember).

Rosebud Salve

Rosebud Salve has saved my lips time and time again. I probably bought the tin five years ago, and I still have tons left. A Vaseline-like petroleum jelly salve that can also be used on fingernails, small spots of dry skin, and to heal small cuts or blemishes. American Apparel sells Rosebud Salve in bulk supply so there's probably tons of other tints or flavors to buy versus my boring original. 

  elf Glossy Gloss

My hoochie-mama pale pink lip gloss that accentuates any other color. I put on a quick swipe over colorless Chapstick or even over a darker lipstick. Every girl needs her own pale pink lip gloss to wear by itself in the summer or add a touch of glamour to a boring day.

NARS Plum Lipstick

The boldest, darkest color of lipstick I've ever owned but love so, so much. Given as a gift, I was hesitant to try it but I now believe a dark lip elevates any formal outfit. Still not a big believer of wearing a dark lip on the daily, but I definitely like it for going out at night to fancier events.

Covergirl Outlast Lip Stain

THIS STUFF IS LITERALLY THE BEST THING EVER! I use this more than anything. This Covergirl Lip Stain comes in an easy to use marker like tube, you seriously just drag it over your lips like coloring inside the lines. My color isn't so obvious, it just brightens up my boring mouth. I use this at night and in the day- if you're in the market for a new lip color, think no further, buy this!

Buxom Lip Gloss

This lip gloss is such a fun, classic color but I love it even more because of it's minty flavor. When applying it, there's a slight mint bite that makes me feel like I'm doing something good for my mouth while making my pout look cute and kissable.

--My favorite lip products can be found at local drug stores (my favorite hobbie is raiding the makeup aisle at my town's RiteAid) or at official cosmetic stores (i.e. NARS, etc...).

Spring Fashion Highlights

If I could do a back flip, I would do a back flip right now. Finally, the God-awful winter has been pushed away by this glorious spring weather. Granted, still had to wear a blazer rolled up over my long sleeve shirt on Friday....BUT we'll forget about that minor detail and look ahead to the spring!

My favorite time to shop is (well, honestly autumn) spring! The refreshing colors and cute styles make me forget how miserable I had been during this long ass winter. Put a spring in your step and check out my favorite looks for the impending warm weather!

Peachy Lips

Slightly orange, slightly pink, PEACH! This light and bright hue instantly make any outfit more feminine, classy, and fun. I'm very excited to experiment with my own lip glosses, sticks, and stains to find my perfect peach pout. (Hopefully, Dior's new line of liquid lipsticks (search #thisisnotalipstick on Instagram) will feature a peachy shade.)

Skirts (L to R): Ann Taylor, Stella Jean, and on the streets of Milan during Fashion Week.

Full Skirts

NEVER thought I would hop on the band wagon for this look, but I find myself loving the full skirts claiming spring as their own. Either knee-length or mid-calf, I think pairing an elegant skirt with a blouse, light sweater or casual tee creates a great feminine and easy look.

Bold Sunglasses

The sunglass trend of this spring seems to be sans frames, I'm not feeling that. In addition to the frame-less shades, the bigger seems to be the better. So I'm going to splurge on cheap crazy sunglasses and wear them fiercely. (Sorry to my Wayfarer babies, you're getting the shelf for a little while.) I advise you all to grab your own pair of outrageous sunnies and show 'em off.

Capris/Cropped Pants

Throwback to the Britney era of low-slung jeans and belly chains. The new, classy trend I am looking forward too includes more material covering our bellies but less covering our ankles. The cuffed, capri, or cropped slacks look is becoming a staple of spring fashion. Not hot enough for shorts, but warm enough for light weight pants and breezy tops paired with flats or sneakers.

Statement Jewelry

Bold necklaces, oversized earrings and heavy cocktail rings accessorize any minimalist spring outfit with flair. Cheap costume jewelry can instantly give your simple outfits note-worthy attention and a pop of fun. The great thing about jewelry is that you don't have to try hard, it does all the magic for you. Jewelry is the easiest way to elevate any outfit. 

Cross your fingers this warm weather stays & spring shopping can happen even sooner! 

Better Than Christmas- The Oscars

I can't spell half of these people's names...

I'd like to start by thanking the Academy... and Dior and Prada and Valentino for creating the most gorgeous haute couture confections that graced the red carpet last night. After live tweeting (much to my followers' annoyance) and taking copious notes during the 86th annual Academy Awards Ceremony, I have sorted out my favorites, the totally hot's and the totally not's, of the Oscars.

Olivia Wilde- pregnant and bloated, she still is the most stunning woman on the red carpet. Wearing a floor length black Valentino gown with a white panel backing, Wilde walked in early with fiancee (equally gorgeous) Jason Sudeikis and instantly drew gasps. The high collar and windswept up-do created a glamorous, dramatic, semi-Audrey Hepburn effect. Completed with a perfect stack of gold and black bracelets and rings, and dazzling Lorraine Schwartz drop earrings. Utterly elegant and glam.

Lupita Nyong'o- I want Lupita Nyong'o to be my fairy godmother, my best friend, my sister... we're soul sisters I can tell. The winner of Best Supporting Actress in 12 Years a Slave, the actress collaborated with Prada to create her perfect, baby blue, pleated, plunging V gown. As someone commented, the dress looked like it was made out of "champagne and bubbles" due to the subtle sparkles hid throughout the pleats. Her hair pulled back with a shining headband and framed by dazzling Fred Leighton earrings- she was a vision of girlish elegance and beauty.

Cate Blanchett- while the Best Actress winner (Blue Jasmine) was credited for her nude Armani gown, I don't know if it was my favorite pick. The trend of the night seemed to be tan and sheer (sporting this also was Angelina Jolie, Kristen Bell, and Naomi Watts) but for some reason Blanchett's just wasn't holding its appeal for me. The adorned dress just seemed "been there, done that". Congrats on the award Cate, but you're on the shit list.

Jared Leto & Matthew McConaughey- All right, all right, all right. No one knows if the two Dallas Buyer's Club stars planned to match their white tux jackets, but they definitely worked it. The super hot hunks took home Best Supporting Actor (Leto) and Best Actor (McConaughey, his first nominee and win) and not to mention Hottest Male Awards deemed by every gushing girl worldwide. Leto- sexy as always- in his burgundy bow tie, ombre'd hair and piercing blue eyes tie together his rock and roll style and refined acting roots (throwback to Jordan Catalano!). And perfectly polished McConaughey in his black and white tux and swoon-worthy Southern drawl sealed the duo as the best dressed men on the red carpet.

Naomi Watts- anyone in Calvin Klein is obviously going to make my best dressed list. Naomi Watts looked classy yet a little sexy in her form fitting, floor length white dress. With a bold Bulgari necklace and dainty diamond earrings, she balanced out her chic ensemble in the perfect black tie-casual (if that even makes sense) style. Casual hair and a swipe of red lipstick completed her look.

Pharrell's hat- Okay, I know he's known for his awesome head gear and bold fashion sense, but I'm really confused as to why he looks like he's going on a safari. His hat- almost as tall as Abraham Lincoln's- was perched upon a recently shaved head, an athletic jacket, jeans, and bright red kicks. If anyone can shed some light as to why he thought that this was the best outfit for his first ever Oscar debut, please share. But on another note, did anyone else love Lupita Nyong'o and him shimmying together during his performance?

Emma Watson- OF COURSE. The fact that she continues to get more and more stunning is really depressing. Once I think she can't top her most recent beauty feat, she does something even better and looks even more envy-inducing. In a shimmery silvery-black Vera Wang gown, tapered at the waist, Watson was yet again the poster woman of effortless chic. Her natural makeup and bold lipstick offset the dark, metallic dress. And her Repossi earrings and stacked rings on her hands added to her all around "cool" yet elegant appeal. She will always look amazing regardless of her clothing.

A few of my other favorites include Margot Robbie, Robin Williams, Kate Hudson, and Anne Hathaway. And a few not-so-good-looking include Kristen Bell, Kristen Chenoweth (what's up with her and Jennifer Lawrence's matching 80-year-old hairdos?), Liza Manelli (you are way to old to start dying your hair blue), Ellen's first outfit (I love you Ellen, but the suits of 20 different hues are getting stale), Gabourey Sidibe, Pink, and Whoopi Goldberg. 

Anyone I missed or forgot? Let me know! Hope you all enjoyed last night's Oscars ceremony as much as I did!!

Hot or Not: The Preppy Guy

Posed smiles and a casual revealing of the polka-dot lining of this dude's jacket.

Costume sketch for Leonardo diCaprio
as Jay Gatsby

You know the one I'm talking about... constantly in a button down, khakis in every color of the rainbow, matching belts and ties. THE preppy guy. Men's fashion changes just as rapidly as women's, but the fashion style that has barely changed over the years is the classic "preppy" look.

Robert Redford as the original
Jay Gatsby

Evolving from casual days in the summer, to frat house cool, to the millions of Vineyard Vines obsessed- the preppy guy has always been there. The preppy guy can pull it off day or night, winter or summer. Since the Prepster-Lite species have sprung up all over America thanks to chain stores such as Vineyard Vines and Sperry, making it easier for styleLESS men to find some style, our definition of preppy has changed. If you wear Sperry's, does that automatically make you preppy? If he opts for salmon shorts instead of athletic shorts, is he equal to Chuck Bass (that's a rhetorical question, obviously no man could ever come close to equalling Chuck Bass)?

He's Chuck Bass

My question to you, dear readers, is this guy cute or juuuuust a little too into fashion to be manly and rugged? Obviously, the preppy look isn't for everyone, but is the preppy guy always hot? Or maybe is he never at all?

Are there extremes of hotness on the preppy scale? The Prepster-Lite, making it possible for teenage boys of America to boost their self esteem through boating shoes all year round, has made its mark on America. Is this lighter version of prep so-called hot? Sperry's instead of loafers, mid-calves over argyle, backwards hats versus driving caps (even though the last time someone wore a driving hat was 1930). Is this "bro" mini-version easier to love, or harder to watch an iconic style slowly spiral down the toilet?

Being preppy, as some say, is a lifestyle more than the act of choosing clothing. Can the way one act and speak be considered preppy? And do these Prepster-Lites fit the description? If you like your guys dedicated Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren, click "hot" to the poll on the right. Or maybe preppy pubescent creeps aren't your style, click "not". It's all in the eye of the beholder....even though we can ALL agree that this guy (golfer John Daly, below) should just kick himself in the ass already.

 

        The many looks of Chuck Bass (Ed Westick) and the "Lord" Scott Disick.