Naked2 Palette

Alright friends, I took the plunge. I bought the Naked2 palette (by Urban Decay) this morning. It's a good thing I didn't think twice about it because yet again, it's out of stock already! As an original Naked palette owner, which many of you may be as well, I thought I might dedicate a post to exactly what made me pull the trigger on getting the second one. So let's get to it!!

First off, I have to give major props to Leesha (aka xsparkage) for posting such detailed swatch photos on her blog. (*If you too are interested in a more in-depth look at the palette and how it compares to the original, check out her post here). It really helped me see the differences in hue that the new palette offers. For instance, (gonna borrow her photo so to better explain here):

While I totally get the initial reaction of, "Girl, how many shades of brown do you really need?" – The major difference I noticed right off the bat between the two palettes was the original palette offers more pink or mauve-hued as well as gold/tiger eye shades, and the new Naked2 palette offers more options in copper, khaki and grey shades.

I'm speculating, but I think Urban Decay wanted to step up their game vs. Sigma's Bare palette which offers specifically brown's, beige's, black's and grey's. Spooky similarities to note:

^ UD 'Foxy' vs. Sig. 'Approach' • UD 'Tease' vs. Sig. 'Act' • UD 'Pistol' vs. Sig. 'Snoop' • UD 'Blackout' vs. Sig. 'Control'

Tiffany (aka MakeupByTiffanyD) gives a nice overview of the Sigma Bare palette in a PLL tutorial here, and makes a similar point that the original palette doesn't not offer any similar tones that are in the Bare palette, especially not matte ones. I'm still in agreement with Tiffany that the Naked2 palette still has not provided a good go-to grey (particularly a matte grey), which makes either the Bare palette or MAC's 'Silver Ring' worth-it purchases.

Another observation, as a girl who has olive-toned skin but does lighten in the winter, and dark hair and hazel eyes – the original Naked palette strikes me as a palette more conducive for summertime, and the Naked2 palette more appropriate for autumn and winter. During the summer when I (like most girls) sport more skin and white, the original palette feels like a better match. *My summer go-to look: Virgin - inner, Sin - outer, Toasted - crease.

I feel like the shades of the Naked2 palette overall have a cooler, more earth-toned vibe to them vs. the warmth injection of the original palette. As someone who definitely capitalizes on layered looks and overall earth-toned and black fashion in the colder months, I'm looking forward to sporting looks from the Naked2. (*I've been dying to try this copper look that Ingrid (aka MissGlamorazzi) did a tutorial on a few weeks ago, and now I feel like I can with the coppery shades from the Naked2!)

Overall, pretty excited to try it out and if I had to say the shades I'm looking most forward to playing with, they'd be:

Those shades also stick out to me as being the most different from the original palette. Also, I'm ultra glad Urban Decay decided to include a double brush this go around (*cough* Sigma palettes *cough*), especially considering some of the cooler tones will require blending out.

So! That's it for now – more to come when I actually get the palette in the mail :) Can't wait!

Caving to the Crop

I've been trying to figure out a way to get into the cropped sweater trend, and until now I honestly wasn't feeling it. Styles I've seen often appear too winged out at the sides, or in too thin of a fabric which (to me) come across as cropped for the sake of being flirtatious vs. legitimate fashion. (*If that's your thing though, rock it! It's just not for me.) Anyway, so when I saw the cropped sweater pictured above I thought, "Ah! I've found it!"– what I appreciate about this particular cropped style is the fitted structure as well as the heavy knit. 

I've paired this preppy and Autumn appropriate look with a casual up-do inspired by Sarah Jessica Parker's infamous character, Carrie Bradshaw. Keep reading to find out what other items I've pulled to style it!

Earrings: Etsy seller 'smallbluethings' Gold Hoop Earrings w/ London Blue Briolette Charm, $22

Top: ModCloth Crop Star Sweater, $54.99

Top: JCrew (Factory) Drapey Stripe Pullover Hoodie in Blue Stripe, $39.50 (*Sale)

Pants: Madewell Widelegger Jeans in Explorer Wash, $79.50 (*Sale)

Shoes: UO Kimchi Blue Wood Platform Pump in Brown, $49

Total Cost of this Outfit: $244.99

Almost $300 for a denim look? By swapping in a few of your own items, this look is certainly accomplishable for less!

• Omit the denim cost. While I love me some wideleg tailored-looking denim, a bootcut jean would suffice here as well. A skinny jean would also work, but I'd style them with riding boots instead– for visual interest.
• Omit the brown leather heel cost and swap-in a pair of brown heels, clogs, ankle boots or oxfords of your own.
• You could just as easily finish off this look with a simple gold hoop or statement earring of your own – be creative!

And maybe complete the look with a nice bronzey/brown eye like this one by TiffanyD: Tiffany's Everyday Smokey Eye Makeup.

Victoria's Secret Look for the Holidays

If you're anything like me, pretty much the second Halloween weekend is over I'm already thinking about Christmas. (They're only 53 days apart you know!) Seriously though, I just purchased Ryan and I's Holiday cards yesterday. Yikes. Haha!

Anywho, I received my Victoria's Secret "We ♥ Winter" catalog in the mail the other day and finally had some time to flip through it this morning with my coffee. Not too far in (on page 7), Erin Heatherton is pictured in a button-up and this really pretty sequin mini. And just then, a light bulb went off– "Carly Cristman!!", I thought. To explain my wild train of thought: when I saw the skirt, I immediately thought of the shorts from Carly's Style Diary, 8-18-11.

Routing back to the skirt– I thought it would make a lovely contribution to an outfit for the Holidays… and, so to not copy Carly's approach of pairing a neutral with the embellished bottoms (which is certainly tasteful and classy), why not develop a different look? Maybe one that's inspired by vintage sapphire and diamond jewelry… Without further adieu, the outfit:

Earrings: Macy's City by City Earrings in Champagne Cubic Zirconia Square Drop, $20
Top: LOFT Dolman Sleeve Cowl Neck Sweater in Vintage Blue, $49.50 (*Online exclusive)

Skirt: Victoria's Secret Sequin Mini-Skirt in Champagne, $98

Legwear: TopShop Seam Back Tights in Nude, $14

Shoes: TopShop Strut Metal Heel Platform in Navy Blue, $130
(Or, compliment the black seam tights with a more cost-effective shoe like these: ALDO Capecoral Pump in Black Patent, $80.)

Total Cost of this Outfit: $311.50 (Or, $261.50 with the less expensive shoe).

Styling notes

I figured so long as we were building this look from the VS skirt, we might as well stay in-theme and take inspiration from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's old Hollywood side-swept waves. To finish the look, a jewel-toned eye by Tiffany D would be gorg! *Maybe swap the teal waterline for a champagne or gold liner? (For the tutorial, visit her vlog.) 

What do you think? Holiday approved?

I've Got The Blues

Out of any OOTD I’ve posted thus far on this blog, this one is probably the one that’s the most ‘me’. That’s not to say my other posts don’t reflect my tastes and personal style, because they certainly do. This outfit in particular though, I don’t know, it just makes me insta-happy :) I’m a frequent sporter of cobalt blue, but hardly ever teal to be honest and the rich color in this ensamble intrigues me. The curvy shapes in the skirt and the peekaboo back of the top take this look over the top, oozing of femme. Moving on to styling: the reason I chose the casual ballerina bun hairstyle (inspired by Katie Holmes) is because the back detailing of the top deserves to be shown off, therefore an updo of some kind (I think) is appropriate.

*As I’ve said before, I’m not a makeup expert; thus why I don’t toss beauty advice out there a whole lot. However, I think this look: subtle blue smokey eye by Tiffany D would pair very nicely with this outfit; should you be so bold as to test it out. [Note: You can follow Tiffany on Twitter at @TiffanyLD!]

The Breakdown:

Top: UO Sparkle & Fade Gigi Blouse in Black, $69.00

Necklace: Anthropologie Atributes Necklace in Blue, $48.00

Skirt: ModCloth Sashay Away Skirt, $64.99

Legwear: UO Opaque Tights in Teal, $12.00

Shoes: Bakers Nora Pump in Black Suede, $49.99 (sale)

Total Cost of this Outfit: $243.98

How to Save on this Look:

• An easy cash-save is to complete this look with your own pair of black shoes. A black flat, oxford shoe or pump are all acceptable. *I’d stray from a boot for this look, as the teal tights are a feature.
• While I think the black top shown here is unique and lovely, it could be swapped for a femme black jersey top like this one from H&M, $17.95 — key factor to keep in mind is a neckline that’s going to showcase the stone necklace.

By opting for shoes from your own closet and a less expensive top, you can cut the total cost of this outfit in half and still accomplish a totally fab look :)

Fab Find: The Beauty Blender

So, I don’t talk a ton about makeup on here because quite frankly (confession:) I’m 25 and am just learning the proper ways to use it. That’s not to say I’ve been terrible with makeup since my teens or anything like that, it’s just I’m learning more about quality products and application best practices now… which is kinda cool… better now than never I guess!

Anyway, per my last post re: Sephora’s Friends & Family Sale–– I decided to buy myself something that I otherwise wouldn’t if it weren’t for a sale. I’ve always thought it was a silly expenditure of $20+, not to mention my local Sephora is a pain to get to. But, I caved and got a Beauty Blender sponge.

For those who are like 100% lost as to why I would buy a sponge–– it’s for a more even/flawless foundation application. I was inspired to try it out via a video by one of my more favorite YouTube Beauty Guru’s– Tiffany D –– You can check out her video HERE, if you’re interested in seeing this thing in use.

To be honest, this just may be my most favorite purchase ever! I cannot even express to you how dramatically different your skin/makeup will look when applied with this thing vs. any other method. My boyfriend even noticed!!! I swear by it being the best ~$20 I've spent in a long long time. Satisfied customer x infinity :)