Day to Day of a Dazzling Diva: August 2011

16 August 2011

Going Green

The color green doesn't just have to make you feel froggy, take a style note from Sanaa Lathan who looked resplendent in a figure flattering Haute Hippie dress at a recent event. With a few remaining dog days of summer, hit the town in gorgeous green paired with a pair of spicy leopard pumps.

Oasis summer evening dress, £30
Zara leopard print shoes, $20
Wire bracelet, $18
Silver earrings, $18
Bare Escentuals bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipgloss, $15

If the real deal is more your speed and perhaps money is no object, you can get Sanaa's actual dress at Nordstrom for a mere $445.

15 August 2011

Revlon Precision Lash Adhesive Review

I've posted before about my love for false lashes (read it here), but what I omitted at the time was my...um...dissatisfaction with the lash glue. I originally chalked my issues up to being a rookie and being an oily skinned girl and determinedly pressed on. I had issues with how long I had to wait before the glue was tacky enough to adhere, so if you attempted to place it too soon, it would slip and slide across your eyelid...which would conveniently wreck your eye makeup. And even if I got them on without application issues, there was always the concern that the glue wouldn't provide enough hold for longer than a couple of hours. I soon realized that neither of those things were really the cause of my problem, it was poor quality glue.

Enter Revlon Precision Precision Lash Adhesive to my rescue!

With it's brush applicator, it gives you great control allowing you to coat the spine of the lash and not the lashes themselves and add just that needed bit of extra adhesive to the ends. The product appears white or clear on the brush, but applies in a pretty sparkly blue shade. And there's no need to wait! It's actually best that you don't, in my opinion. You can immediately begin to apply the lash to your lash line and in the time it takes you to finish the application on your other eye, the glue has dried and adhered the lash securely. And don't worry, it dries clear.

And let me say that I'm super impressed! The hold felt way more secure than it had ever had before. I feel my first test of the product put it through it's paces - I used it to apply my lashes for a wedding I was attending. It was outdoors, ninety degrees and humid beyond belief. The indoor reception was attended by upwards of 400 people, so the air conditioning felt virtually non-existent. And just so you understand, not only am I naturally oily, but I perspire rather easily... So, I tossed the tube in my clutch, just in case I happened to need it for an emergency lash fix.

I never needed it.

I ultimately wore my lashes for 8 hours without issue. As I removed my make up they did peel off, but not without quite a bit of tugging and after a day like I'd had, that's saying a lot!

I found the tube at Walmart for less than five dollars, so I bought two - just in case I really liked it and it was discontinued before I got another one or in case it dried out too soon or something, I'd have a backup.

And if all of that wasn't enough to sell you on it, it's also latex free for any of you divas who have an issue with latex allergies.

09 August 2011

DD's Style File - Oranges & Bananas

The outfit I wore to work yesterday was probably a tad unconventional when it came to color pairings, but for some reason, it just kinda worked for me. Before dashing out the door in the morning, I ignored the urge to don a shoe that more closely matched my belt and went totally in the opposite direction.

Beige orange dot top - Zara
Tan skirt - The Limited
Brown and rust earrings - Unknown
Belt - Burlington Coat Factory
Cognac leather handbag - TJ Maxx
Yellow peep toe slingbacks - Macy's
Sunglasses - Dot's

I've mentioned my love of polka dots before, so it's no surprise that I snatched up this beige top with peppy orange dots. The shoes are an item that I can finally cross off my "wardrobe need" list, as I've been hunting for a pair of sophisticated yellow pumps for literally ages. And there they were, in my size, perched on the clearance rack at Macy's waiting for me to find them - and I wasn't even shopping that day, just perusing. And with a color description of 'banana' how could I possibly leave them behind?!

I admit the overall look may have had something about it that was a bit quirky and offbeat, but I liked it!

04 August 2011

DD's Style File - The Joy of Cotton

Some people love lace, some love silk...which I agree are quite nice, but me? Call me crazy, but I love cotton! I always love the clothing in the Cotton commercials, like the ones with Zooey Deschanel singing "The Fabric of Our Lives."

This particular look came about as I, exhausted and sleepy, tried to be good and pick out my work clothes for the next day before hitting the sack...and voila!

White poplin button up shirt - JCPenney
Light blue striped skirt - Forever 21
Mustard stripe belt - Unknown (off some other dress)
Camel tassel shoes - Charles by Charles David
Silver earrings & bracelets - The Limited/Tiffany & Co.
Sunglasses - Charlotte Russe

For me, this is a quintessential summer outfit, that's breezy yet professional. I always seem to end up loving the "accidental" outfits the most and this one can be added to the list. The simple soft cotton button up and a seersucker print skirt made me feel like I should be traipsing through the promendade in a Cotton advertisement!

03 August 2011

VH1's Single Ladies

I wasn't immediately impressed with the first episode or two, but since then I've become a devoted fan of VH1's first scripted show, "Single Ladies." This comedic drama starring Stacey Dash, LisaRaye McCoy and Charity Shea as three best friends experiencing relationships, sex and love in the city of Atlanta. Also, co-starring Christina Carter.

I raise my hat to VH1 for their efforts with this show, especially in an era of reality TV (one of my guilty pleasures...), they have created a noteworthy show with an entertaining storyline that's interspersed with eye catching fashion, hot music and lots of celebrity cameos. All of my favorite things!

I am personally smitten with the wardrobe of Stacey Dash's character, Val. And here are a few posts for by fashion bloggers caught up with the "Single Ladies" wardrobe just as much as I:

I loved Val's colorblocked bow skirt outfit in episode 7, how 'bout you? Style Me Prissy has the scoop!

Fashion Bomb Daily gives us the breakdown on each character's style and how you can get it!

Who's responsible for the fabulous looks on the ladies of "Single Ladies"? Confessions of a Glamaholic has to the one on on with wardrobe creator Anthony L. Williams!

02 August 2011

DD's Style File - Nautical Interpretation

I've done prior posts on the nautical trend (here and here) and it's one I believe never seems to go out of style because it's inevitable that you'll see it reappear on runways. So, for this edition of Style File, I'm posting an outfit that I wore to work that's my loose translation on the trend.

Navy striped ruffle top - H&M
Tan paperbag skirt - Zara
Denim sandals - Payless
Red leather handbag - Foley + Corrina
Gold necklace - Burlington Coat Factory
Rings and earrings - Express
Sunglasses - Charlotte Ruse

Sometimes I just throw things together and the end result turns into one of my favorite outfits. And this would be one of those. The fabrics were all easy and comfortable, even down to the sandal which was a casual blend of a dark knotted denim with a cork bottom. I didn't love the skirt so much in the store, but got it anyway and now I adore it. And of course, the girly ruffle shoulder detailing is right up my alley.

I'd been lusting after a Foley + Corinna tote for ages, and this bag is one of my most recent mini splurges. Thanks to an announcement post by the Budget Babe I was able to snatch one up at a Gilt Groupe sale (thanks Dianna!). I was a bit too late to grab a mid city size, so I reluctantly went for the disco. I say "reluctant" because I'm a big bag kinda girl (like I carry my whole life around in my purse), so going to a much smaller sized bag I felt would be a challenge and I was worried that perhaps I wouldn't use it as often.

Well, color me surprised because I love it! I do wish it was just a tad larger, perhaps big enough for one inner zip pocket for my cell phone or whatever, however it still works. Keep in mind that my wallet is kind of mammoth, so if I scaled back on that, I'd have way more room. But since I'm stubborn I force them to work together.

I don't use this bag every day, but I'm always looking for an opportunity to carry it. And another great thing is that I was able to kill two birds with one stone - cross an item off my "lust list" and try something new, which is a crossbody style. Last month, I encouraged you all to test drive a crossbody and I'm here to say that I've become a convert because they are a must for shopping! By keeping my hands and arms free and my money close, it's a win win.

01 August 2011

Spots & Dots

I consider myself to be rather fashion forward, but some risks are pulled off better by some than others. So, although I'm enamored with polka dots and practically obsessed with leopard print, I'm not exactly confident that I can pull them off together. However, I've seen it executed beautifully and I'm kinda loving it!

As seen here, on the Dolce & Gabbana fall 2010 runway:

In my first post on print mixing, I discussed pairing florals with stripes and polka dots, too (read it here). But where those combinations are more on the sweet side, I think this collab has a bit more spice.

Alexa Chung

If like me, you're drawn to this look, but not yet ready to dive headlong into its unconventional pairing, here are a few of my personal suggestions for taking baby steps:

1. Let one print be the dominant - I suggest going with the dots, because it's less attention grabbing than a full leopard dress. But go for a more subtle print with small dots and pair with pumps or flats in the animal print.

2. Pair in small doses - Instead of going full out with larger pieces, use minimal material and try dotted shorts and a spotted tank under a solid cardigan.

3. Pair in even smaller doses - If going full on with this mix isn't quite your speed yet, incorporate it into your look with accessories such a s a killer leopard print bag intermixed with an adorable polka dot pump or scarf.