TREND REPORT: Leather Sleeve Jacket

As I begin to purge my closet of all things Spring and Summer to make room for my Fall wardrobe, I have my eyes on the leather sleeve jacket prize. This Autumn is all about mixed media - suits, shoes, accessories and jackets are mixing up patterns and textures for a very luxe look. I've become obsessed with the idea of the leather sleeve jacket, and am hunting feverishly until I have my hands on one. Some contenders:

ASOS Blazer with Leather Look Sleeves

River Island Silver PU Sleeve Blazer

Topshop Contrast Sleeve Army Jacket

River Island Khaki PU Sleeve Army Jacket

Simply Be PU Trim Trench Coat

This Fall, I'm all about leather (leather leggings, meow) and fitted denim - both of which complement this mixed media, leather sleeve jacket trend nicely. I'm still on the hunt, though. I haven't found the perfect berry colored jacket with leather yet. I won't give up!

Are you feeling this trend? Have you found some better contenders? Do share.

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BEAUTY: LiSi Cosmetics Giveaway

Excuse the banged up nature of the boxes. I'm clearly actually using these products LOL

About a month ago, Christina of LoveBrownSugar extended an invite to some beauty gals to the Lisi Cosmetics store in NYC (check out the MASQUEmag Facebook page for pics). 

I can't even begin to put into words how I was feeling at this event. I'm all about beauty on a budget so I was a kid in a candy store. My eyes got wider as I realized Lisi Cosmetics was offering high-quality makeup at incredibly affordable low prices. Literally every single item sold by Lisi Cosmetics is under $15. 

Founded and opened just eight months ago, Lisi Cosmetics is both e-commerce and retail in-store. There's actually a big nail polish sale going on right now - 16 nail enamels on sale for $2.45!

In this photo, I'm wearing the Glo Liquid Skin Illuminator in "Sex Kitten" and Cream Color Lip Stick in "Matinee". I swear by the Illuminator daily, it's the perfect solution for humid weather when I don't want to put on foundation; it brightens up my look in seconds. The Cream Color Lip Stick is silky and ultra-moisturizing which is a really big deal for me because I have a lot of lip to take care of.

Now's your chance to get your hands on LiSi! Enter in the rafflecopter below, and you can win a $20 giftcard from yours truly. Trust me, $20 goes a long way here.

Good luck :) Contest ends Monday, September 3rd.

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OUTFIT: Date Night with my Girl!

Tineey and I had a fun dinner date night last week that included some swirling, shopping, and shellfish. We took a fun stroll along 5th Avenue before stopping in H&M to check out some fall fashions and heading to FLEX Mussels for some strawberry spritzers and succulent mussel pots. I'm sorry I'm not sorry but I love a good date night with my girls.

I am SO ready for fall fashion, I don't know how many times I can actually say it. I've been slowly transitioning into fall mode by wearing summer textiles and prints in darker colors. This dress is one of my favorites from KMart (say what!) that I cinched with a vintage belt. 

I'm such a sucker for a sale; I purchased these Lela Rose shoes from Payless on sale for $10 I think? It was a while ago. Either way, this was my first time wearing them. I'm absolutely obsessed with ankle straps. 

Another way to really anchor any outfit is to make sure all your accessories are in the same family (I mentioned this tip in my BFSC Showcase post last week). This go 'round, I was all earthed out with wooden bangles, a wooden beaded neckline, and a wooden heel. Clearly, I'm ready for the woods (which I actually did visit earlier this week!).

Of course, no story is complete without a video. Check out Tineey and I letting our dresses flutter in the wind while we sip on fancy drinks :) Leave us a comment!

Check out Tineey's asymmetrical crisscross hotness here.

Dress: Jaclyn Smith for Kmart (Summer '11)
Shoes: Lela Rose for Payless
Earrings: H&M
Belt: Vintage
Bangles: Gifted from Tineey :)

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Kardashian Kurves: Full Plus Size Line

The Kardashian clan is on a roll, having recently launched their line of denim for Sears along with their search for a plus-size model. According to Glamour Magazine, they are now releasing Kardashian Kurves - a collection ranging from sizes 18 to 24. The RTW (ready-to-wear) line will offer everything you need from jackets to pants, tops to dresses. Landing in Sears this October, here is a sneak peek of some sketches:

The waterfall cardigan and panel leggings are screaming Kim K to me, and I'm very interested to see how these sketches will translate when produced. I am hoping and praying (and hoping and praying some more) that the skirts are long and the keyhole on this dress comes high enough to accommodate a bra. 

How are we feeling about this collection thus far? Are you excited for it to hit Sears this fall? 

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OUTFIT: BFSC Showcase

This summer, Jasifer Lions Club hosted her Big Fat Summer Challenge. Around the world, curvy girls of all shapes and sizes strut their stuff to win a chance at Jennifer's grand prize. To wrap up this fun challenge, myself and seven other girls got together to represent every piece Jen put us up against. My mission? Sleeveless.

For the transition into Fall Fashion, I love grounding pops of color with neutrals and heavier materials (ie: leather and stud sandals). I chose this pleated chiffon skirt to layer over a bodycon dress I scored a couple of years ago. 

Mixing accessory pieces within the same tone family is my trick to jewelry stacking. Of course, you can always mix silver and gold - honestly, just do whatever feels good to you.

Taking pictures on the Brooklyn Bridge during high tourist season on a summer weekend is no easy feat, but we managed somehow (lol). High gusting winds and muggy weather will never stop me!

To see the rest of the ladies of the Big Fat Summer Showcase, you can visit Jennifer's post.

Bodycon Dress: DOTS (similar here)

Skirt: H&M (similar here)

Shoes: H&M (similar here)

Bangles & Necklace: H&M

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

NOW FOR THE CANDIDS LOL: 

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TREND REPORT: Metallic Cap Toe Shoes

A trend since this Spring, metallic tip shoes (or metallic toe cap/or metallic cap toe?) will be coming even harder this Fall in multiple forms - heels, wedges, flats, and boots are getting the treatment. Check some of my choices for various budgets below:

1. Jeffrey Campbell Bullet Cap Toe Pumps, $150.00

2. Deena & Ozzy Metal Cap Toe Skimmer, $34.00

3. Nine West Women's Chichi Pump, $89.00

4. DV Dolce Vita Lunna Captoe Flat, $79.00

5. ASOS PITCH Pointed High Heels with Metal Toe Cap, $76.64

6. Vince Camuto Amboy Toe-Cap Booties, $149.00

7. Vince Camuto Oneda Metal Toe Ballet Flat - Petal, $79.00

Jessica Biel was spotted in a pair of white and silver metallic tip shoes with this gorgeous Christian Dior Haute Couture dress for a "Total Recall" premiere last week.

I personally love how this trend comes in so many styles. It can go from day to night easily. Do you plan on rocking this trend (or have you already?). Share!

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BEST (AND WORST) DRESSED: Olympics Closing Ceremony Outfits 2012

After 16 days, the Olympics are finally over with a star-studded closing ceremony as magnificent as the opening. With tons of performances, lots of theatrics and gobs of pyrotechnics, some celebrities showed up in some delicious and ridiculously loud outfits. Read more for my best and worst dressed of the Olympics 2012 Closing Ceremony:

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BEAUTY: How To Make Eyeshadow into Eyeliner

I've been reading comments on the site and on Facebook, and I realized I get a lot of questions about my colored eyeliners. Watch the video below for my greatest beauty secret and my second-to-favorite use of eyeshadow: Did you know about this secret already? How else do you use your eyeshadows? FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM | TUMBLR  
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HEALTHY MIND, HEALTHY BODY: Healthy Curves Movement

There is a revolution brewin', y'all. Plus size women (who, by the way, actually do care about their health contrary to popular belief) are becoming a lot more vocal about lifestyle changes. Monique of Curves and Chaos and Jessica of Life & Style of Jessica Kane both shared how they are transitioning into new healthy journeys - not to become skinny, but just to feel better (nothing is worse than heaving up a flight of stairs!).

Insert Team #HealthyCurves - an initiative developed by Jessica to keep us curvy girls motivated. The discussions will be centered around nutrition (developing a relationship with food, not forcing diets!), exercises (let's start with low-impact?), and challenges that the everyday woman faces when embarking on this journey.

Are you in? Good. Me too.

As you document your journey, use the hashtag #HealthyCurves to join the network. Have questions, need advice, or want to share your tips? Visit Jessica Kane's Facebook page.

Together we can do this! Leave me a comment and let me know if you've joined the #HealthyCurves crew.

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OUTFIT: Miss Tina Knows Best

It's no surprise that Beyonce is my BFF in my head. If you follow me on Facebook, I am constantly posting pictures of her and Jay Z, and links to my favorite songs of hers. So naturally (maybe? maybe not?) I'm into her mom, Miss Tina, and her line of clothes. 

Ranging from sizes 4 to 18, Miss Tina offers trendy pieces and wardrobe staples. Guess where it's available. GUESS! 

Miss Tina can be purchased at Wal-Mart! This sheer caftan tunic was the perfect solution to beat the humidity this week. I can't say this enough - I'M READY FOR FALL FASHION.

I usually am not an advocate for leggings-as-pants, but they are acceptable if done in good taste. I made sure my caftan tunic was hitting the bottom of my rump before I stepped out in this outfit. Leggings can be the downfall of a cute curvy girl if done incorrectly. But SWAK Designs had me all the way covered, I always feel like a million bucks when I'm in these. 

Have you shopped Miss Tina's collections? How did you feel about the look? The feel? Share!

Caftan Tunic: Miss Tina

Leggings: SWAK Designs

Shoes: H&M

Ring: H&M

Necklace: H&M

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

...now you know I can't leave you without my favorite Summer jam from Queen Bey.

   

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TREND REPORT: Black, White and Gold All Over

 

Okay, I have a confession. I have a huge celebrity crush on Elizabeth Olsen - she's gorgeous, humble, chic, and has the coolest big sisters on the face of this earth. I heard through the grapevine Olsen will be in September's issue of Glamour Magazine, so you know I had to share. (jacket and shirt: Ralph Lauren Collection, pants: Ralph Lauren Blue Label, boots: Giuseppe Zanotti)

I cannot ignore Olsen's outfit. I've been seeing a lot of this black/white/gold combination lately, and I'm handpicking my favorite finds:

Jessica Simpson ZEPPA wedge

ASOS Quilted Backpack

Topshop MOTO Sleeveless Biker Jacket

 

ASOS Sidney Pointed Heels with Metal Toe Cap 

ASOS Moving Heart Dial Watch

What say you of this trend? I personally think it's chic and comes off tailored, regardless of cut and silhouette. Will you be rocking it this fall? 

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BEAUTY: Maybelline Great Lash Limited Edition Colored Mascara

 First off, my sincerest apologies for my spotty posting. I'd rather post nothing at all than post something that is filler and totally irrelevant to you all. Now...on to the goods!

 For over 30 years, Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara has been a staple in cosmetic bags across the world. My mother uses it. My mother's mother uses it, My aunts, cousins, sisters all use it. Maybelline's Great Lash is the mascara that we all go running back to when all else fails. And now, the classic is releasing four bodacious limited edition colored mascaras. 

Only available until August 31st, Maybelline Great Lash Mascara is offering: Pop of Purple, Blink of Blue, Totally Teal, and Go Go Green.  

You know I'm a girl for color on and around le peepers (check out my beauty posts!), and this trend is still red hot (hello Dior Fall Couture 2012). You can head to your nearest drugstore - I will scout out and Instagram for you! If you have no luck finding them, you can purchase similiar here.

Will you be rocking this trend this fall? Have you already? Share! 

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OUTFIT: Denim on Denim

Ladies and gentlemen, its BlogHer time! In the midst of running to an event, Tineey and I stopped in Bryant Park to snap some flicks. Excuse the folks in the background, they were trying to enjoy the beautiful weather just like we were.

(Oh, hey. I also have a new hairstyle. You like?!)

During Full Figured Fashion Week, Jessica Kane invited a bunch of ladies to preview Torrid's Fall collection along with their denim line-up. They've recently released their newest fit, The Stiletto Skinny Jean, which I will continue to sing praise for. Just look at them! The silhouette is sick - so slimming and hugging curves in all the right places. It comes in a variety of colors, and the option for ankle-zip. Girl! 

I've been dying to try the "denim on denim" trend forever, and could never find the right shirt. The vertical detail is so playful, and the length is perfect on this one. I couldn't pass it up.

Forever foolish! 

Have you tried the denim on denim trend? I would love to see your outfits! Link me.

Denim Shirt: Jones New York, thrifted

Jeans: Torrid

Striped Platform Wedges: Old Navy

Purse: Vintage Dooney & Bourke, thrifted

Cinema Americano Bracelet: Jewelmint

Necklace: Vintage Givenchy, thrifted

Earrings: Catherine's

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