Going Gray … in a Nail Polish Way

Some women can’t leave the house without mascara, or making sure their pout is red. Well, I can’t leave my apartment without my nails painted! Due to this ritual, I am always looking for a new color to add to my already, out of control, polish collection. And, I found a new addition … gray!

After seeing Vanity Fair’s September Style Issue with Mz. Lady Gaga on the cover, I instantly fell in love with the gray polish. I loved the fact that it wasn’t shiny, or glittery. It was a beautiful gray matte, and I made it my weekend mission to find the perfect gray shade.

While walking around Soho on Saturday afternoon, I pretty much went into any little beauty supply store I could find. Finally, I found a little store on Broadway (Eve Beauty Source) that had an amazing selection of nail polishes (I will be giving this store a lot of business in the years to come).

Of course I’m a fan of O.P.I. products, but sometimes I feel the need to branch out and try a new brand. It’s a good thing I was feeling adventurous that day because I found a perfect shade of gray … by Essie. It’s called Chinchilly, and it was only $5.99! And, if you’re in NYC, the Union Square Walgreens has a great selection of Essie polishes. But, if you can’t find this brand at a store near you, you can easily order it online. Here are a few sites where you can find Essie polishes:

www.essie.com

www.ulta.com

www.beauty.com

I couldn’t wait to try it out, so later that night, I got out my base coat and painted two coats of Chinchilly onto my nails. It went on very smoothly and evenly … I was in love. And the gray color was perfect, exactly what I was looking for. After two coats were on, I dipped my fingers into a bowl of ice cold water for a couple of minutes (it’s a great way to dry your nails … fast)! And the best part about this polish … days later it still looks great. The color and the product receive a nice solid A from me.

Sporting the new shade

I live for glitter

xoxo

Mmmm … Bright Fuchsia Lips

This past weekend I went to an 80’s theme party at a club. I had the perfect neon green outfit and big hair, and I wanted to finish off my look with some hot pink lips. I didn’t know how much I would like this color on me, so I decided to check out the selection at Target before I splurged on another lipstick at Sephora (my collection is getting out of control)! While I was walking down the aisles, a Revlon shade caught my eye. At first I thought the only reason I recognized the circular sticker was because it was hot pink, but when I checked out the lipstick, it was exactly what I was looking for. And the best part … it was under $6.

Later that night, I had quite a few girls ask me about my lipstick while we freshened up in the bathroom. It was at that point, that I knew I was in love with this fuchsia shade. And, yes, that means a trip to Sephora … and probably the MAC counter!

Must-have fuchsia shades:

Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Fuchsia Fusion. You can find it at any drug store and it’s under $6.00. http://www.revlon.com/en/Revlon-Home/Products/Lips/Lipstick/Revlon-Super-Lustrous-Lipstick.aspx

Lancome Color Design lipstick in Fuchsia Clutch, $22.

Fuchsia Clutch -- Click Here

And finally check out Utter Fun, a brilliant fuchsia pink shade, by MAC. This shade has a bit of shimmer to it, which makes it perfect for summer. http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT168&PRODUCT_ID=310

I live for glitter
xoxo

Jump on the Cargo train

Right now cargo is hot, and I feel like it’s going to stick around for a while … which is fine with me! This look is fabulous because cargo goes well with skinny jeans and boyfriend-style pants! And try rolling up a pair of cargo boyfriend jeans and wearing a pair of heels for an amazing look!

Just in case you need another reason to add some cargo to your closet, this trend is fierce. It will make you feel like a tough woman who can take on the world in a pair of gray cargo skinny jeans.

Now check out my top five cargo picks:

Michael Kors -- Click Here

Michael Kors Skinny Zippered jeans with cargo pockets, $109.50, Bloomingdales. The zippers on these jeans make them even tougher!

Rhianna rocking J Brand -- Click Here

This pair of Houlihan Skinny Cargo jeans by J Brand are extraordinary. Right now they are available at nationaljeancompany.com. Even Rihanna has been seen rocking these jeans!

These satin crop cargo pants from New York & Company, $69, are extremely classy and perfect for summer.

NewYork & Company -- Click Here

Free People -- Click Here

I love these cargo pants by Free People, $98, Bloomingdales.They’re great because they’re comfy, yet you can still dress them up with a fancy top and pair of heels.

Alice + Olivia came out with an amazing and different pair of cargo pants … and I love them! The best part is the elastic around the ankles. And since they have a casual fit, they will look fabulous with a curve-hugging top!

Alice + Olivia -- Click Here

I live for glitter
xoxo

Who wears … Long shorts? …

Sometimes shorter is better, but right now there is nothing better than bringing the shorts to the knee.

One of the best things about knee-length shorts is how classy they can be by day, and how sexy they can be by night! You can pair these shorts with a professional pair of two-inch heels for the office, and then dress them up with a tank and those shoes that make you feel on top of the world.

Just like short shorts, longs shorts can come in skinny and loose styles, and there are rules about what to wear with each style. When going with skinny shorts, wear a loose-fitting top, or a tank with a light cardigan over it. And the opposite goes for loose shorts. To avoid looking frumpy, wear a form-fitting top. And for a party look, a fancy tank top … maybe with a little bit of shine!

Now get ready to add some variety to your short shorts collection!

These Editor style shorts from Express are perfect for the office. And they are only $44.50.
http://www.express.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24114&parentCategoryId=2&categoryId=31&subCategoryId=31&user_att_name=Interest&user_att_value=Email&Mppg=0&Mcatpn=category&Mpper=3&Mcat=31&Mcatp=cat_2&Mpos=36&Mrsaa=*&Mcatn=Shorts&Mpg=SEARCH%2BNAV&Mrsavf=*

City Shorts - Click Here

Victoria’s Secret came out with an amazing pair of khaki City Shorts (left). As you can see, they provide a great professional look when paired with a blazer!

For a Saturday afternoon, I love these last two pairs of shorts. The first pair is from American Apparel, $28 (bottom right).  They look so comfortable and come in eight colors!

Thick-Knit Page Boy Short -- Click Here

And then there is a pair of loose-fitting khaki shorts from ASOS. Once again, these
shorts have comfort written all over them! See for yourself below.

ASOS Khaki Shorts -- Click Here

I live for glitter
xoxo

Must have of the moment…Dark Blue Eyeshadow

Right now every woman needs a dramatic blue eyeshadow!

I decided this while watching Lady Gaga and Beyonce’s “Telephone” video. While Gaga was busy making a sandwich, I couldn’t help but notice her deep blue eyeshadow. 

I’ve always been a fan of dark eye makeup, and these deep blue shades create an intriguing smokey eye … without using black and gray shades!

To create this look, check out three of my favorite shades …

MAC Deep Truth -- Click Here

Ever since I started wearing makeup, I’ve been in love with MAC products. So, of course I believe that MAC Cosmetics makes one of the best blue eyeshadows out there! My pick is Deep Truth, $14.50. With this dark blue shade, you will be well on your way to matching your lids to Lady Gaga’s!

Lately, it’s been color heaven at Sephora! Well, I guess it always is at Sephora, but their selection of blue eyeshadow has blown me away! While shopping there the other week, I fell in love with an iridescent navy blue eyeshadow from MAKE UP FOR EVER. The shade is Metallic Navy Blue

Metallic Navy Blue Iridescent -- Click Here

Iridescent 81, $19. I love this one because it adds a bit of shimmer to the navy color, which makes it a great day color!

And finally, you can’t go wrong with Revlon Matte Eyeshadow in Riviera Blue. And the best part … you can find it at any drugstore or retail store!

Alright ladies, let’s create a new meaning of “blue eyes”!

I live for glitter
xoxo

Here it goes …

I’m starting something new with I Live for Glitter!    

Everyday there are particular items and trends that I think all women should know about. So, each day I’m going to pick something to share with you. I’m calling them “must haves of the moment.”

My goal is to share what I love with the world … or at least with anyone who reads this. Maybe I’ll help someone find their new favorite eyeshadow shade or perfect pair of jeans! Oh, I can only hope …

Stud it up …

Creating my own studded top on the floor of my bedroom. Life doesn't get much better than this!

I believe that studs don’t just belong in your ears! They also belong on your clothes and accessories, and in my world they are a “must have” right now! I love studs on everything from T-shirts to shoes. And if you want to get real creative, I think adding studs to your wardrobe is a fabulous idea.

Right now I am obsessed with studs and jewels on the shoulders of shirts. Now, this is one look you can definitely do on your own (trust me, I did this last week and wore the shirt this weekend). I was inspired by a version that I saw on Topshop’s web site.

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=80&viewAllFlag=false&catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=193532&parent_category_rn=148412&productId=1344403&langId=-1&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-lOMvvG6d.xdDt0VcGhfTlg&cmpid=usls_deeplink

This amazing top is $44, but if you are looking for something more affordable, bring out your artsy side and create your own version! I had a black short-sleeved T-shirt that I picked up for $6 at H&M, bought some fun jewels at a craft store and plugged my glue gun in. I had a lot of fun doing this, and I received a lot of compliments on my outfit when I was out this weekend.

I am all about leggings, but lately my black leggings can bore me sometimes, so, of course I think adding some studs is the perfect solution. I found an amazing pair at Nordstrom for only $28!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3077085?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=hosiery:women:tights&cm_ite=nordstrom_studded_leggings:286196&cm_ven=Linkshare&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-p7wbtkMW5YIC737SYDoj6Q

Also, check out this pair of leggings at Charlotte Russe, $22.99.

http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3814560&cm_mmc=CJ-_-n%2Fa-_-2178999-_-10517991

If studs on your legs aren’t your thing, then having some studs around the waist never hurt anyone…especially when they’re on a flower! Check out this belt for $12.95 at New York & Company.

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=prod1910070&categoryId=cat760004&cid=200001

Lately, I’ve been wearing gloves … a lot. I have a pair with studs on them, and they are one of my favorite accessories. I want to add another pair to my collection, and I think splurging on a pair like this from Topshop might be necessary! They are so, “Hi Lady Gaga, do you like my studded gloves?”

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=133533&parent_category_rn=133524&productId=1520796&langId=-1&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-Z5wLuPvOWg9ecoPKrQcA.A&cmpid=usls_deeplink

Since I like studs … pretty much everywhere … of course I want them on my shoes. I get bored with my plain black flats, so why not get a studded pair. Well, these are $395, but I just added some studs to my flats, and there you have it, a pair of black studded flats.

http://www.loefflerrandall.com/LRProduct.aspx?ProductID=138&CategoryID=14&source=shopstyle

Forget about making these yourself…they are only $32.99 at Charlotte Russe…so just go buy them!

http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3876061&cm_mmc=CJ-_-n%2Fa-_-2178999-_-10517991

Not only do I love studs, but I also love zippers…so zippers and studs on a pair of shoes … I am in love. And they are under $50. Check them out at Alloy.com!

http://store.alloy.com/item.do?categoryID=919&itemID=51302&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-xKmbTdELfVotCOG.cMdIEA

So, stud yourself up from head to toe … but not all at once of course!

I live for glitter xoxo

What to wear for Lady Gaga…

Since it’s now less than two days until my Lady Gaga Monster Ball experience, I’ve decided it’s time to share the details of my outfit! This Saturday will be pretty much the best day of my life, so the perfect outfit is definitely required. Luckily, I think I have just that.

When I started looking for my outfit, I only had one rule … no pants allowed (hello, this is Gaga we are talking about)! While I was home for Thanksgiving, I was doing a little Black Friday shopping with my mom, and we stopped at a thrift store on our way home. You can always find interesting items in thrift shops. We were only there for a few minutes when my mother and I spotted the most amazing black leotard. I fell in love with it instantly. I saw shiny spandex, sheer material, sequins, and studs. I thought I had died and went to Gagaheaven. My mom grabbed it right away for me. Yes, I have an awesome mom, I know! And the best part, it was only $3 and fit me perfectly. It’s like we were made for each other. Simply amazing.

So, the hard part was complete. Now, I had to accessorize. Remember, the Lady loves her accessories! I’ll start from top to bottom.

My hair, which will remain my natural brown color, is going to be curled to the max. I’m getting out the steam rollers for this! And then I found the most incredible hair piece. I spotted it at H&M, one of my favorite stores, about two months ago. It was less than $8, and I just had to have it. The best part is the string that goes under my chin to keep it in place while I’m bad romancing (and I’m talking about the dance, people)!

Onto my make up. There will be lots of it. Dark eyes, dark lips and even some false eyelashes. Oh, and glitter … lots of glitter! Check out the eyeshadow quad I will be using from Victoria’s Secret: http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=EH-242782&cgname=OSMKPEYEZZZ&rfnbr=2530. And you can find my favorite deep red/plum lipstick from Clinique (Crushed Grape, $14) at Sephora: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P126302&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=1254.

To finish off my top half, I have a pair of black finger-less gloves with studs. I love these gloves because I can still wear my rings and because they were $6.50 at Claire’s! My fingernails are always painted, so Saturday night will be no different. I’ve decided to go with my favorite dark black/green glittery nail polish. You can find it at Sephora for $9. And, since the gloves aren’t there for warmth, I have a leather shrug-style jacket. This will prevent my arms from freezing, and it looks fabulous.

My legs will be covered in pantyhose and fishnets. The pantyhose are needed for a little warmth in these frigid Midwestern temperatures. And the fishnets are … well … a necessity.

Being short like Gaga means heels are very important to me. I had a pair of shoes picked out months ago, but then I found an amazing pair one day while I was simply passing by the shoe department. I found them at Target … and on clearance for $14! They are high, and painful, so I’ve been breaking them in this week at work. I think I’ll make it through the concert with them on, but if not, at least I have my trusty Steve Madden’s as a back-up.

Saturday will be one of those, “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this,” moments … and I think I’m ready. I feel a little sorry for my college girlfriend who’s going with me … at least she’ll be entertained by me.

I know I’ll be a changed person after the show … and I only hope I can change a person or two with my sequins!

I live for glitter
xoxo

P.S. I’ll make sure to post some pics of the final result!!!

Cover those legs …

… But not with pants, of course. I’m talking about tights! Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to put away your dresses and skirts! Say hello to tights! I have to thank Blair Waldorf and Little J for this, since those tight-wearing beauties have showed me how amazing tights really are!

This winter is a cold one, but I love legs, and I refuse to cover them up with a different variety of black    pants everyday! Instead, I seem to be picking up a new pair of tights every time I step into a store. And, that’s alright, because there’s no such thing as having too many pairs of tights!

Although you can never go wrong with a classic pair of fishnets … here are a few more of my favorite picks!

Well, look at these affordable and adorable tights I found at Forever 21!  These mesh tights just make me happy! http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=acc_legwear&product_id=2068160256&Page=all And for less than $6, you can’t pass them up! I also found these stripped tights with a hint of metallic glitter in them. Since I love glitter, I obviously love these … and they come in different colors too! Bonus! http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=acc_legwear&product_id=2070418788&Page=all

American Apparel has become one of my favorite stores! I love funky items, so this store is like walking into heaven! And I’ve found some crazy tights at this place too! http://store.americanapparel.net/rsaphhsh.html These down-the-leg zig zag tights simply rock! They’re $28, but so unique that it’s worth it! And leave it to American Apparel to put a twist on the regular fishnets. These double diamond fishnets are great, but I would pair them with a less flashy outfit. Let the tights speak for themselves!  http://store.americanapparel.net/rsaphfn2.html ($25).

Topshop never ceases to amaze me. They have a huge selection of tights, so it’s been hard for me to narrow down some of my faves, but here it goes. Lace is huge this year, so a pair of lace tights is a must. Try these from Topshop, $24. http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=139796&parent_category_rn=133559&productId=1511600&langId=-1&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-P5fQ2h.m4l.IA2nzoOHBsQ&cmpid=usls_deeplink.  A pair of two-toned tights really stand out. They’re different and hard to find, and this pair has tiny black hearts on them! http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=133561&parent_category_rn=133559&productId=1511698&langId=-1&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-jX6WommqAPs5PDDNp6O4_Q&cmpid=usls_deeplink ($16). Lastly, there’s nothing like a pair of bright tights to make an outfit pop! This year I love reds, like this pair from Topshop for $16. http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=133561&parent_category_rn=133559&productId=1404314&langId=-1&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-OZkVODNbyL9rHIMyiwLheQ&cmpid=usls_deeplink. If you are going to pick up some colored tights, I’d also get some jade, magenta and plum pairs. These colored tights make me happy to wear my classic black dress to the office!

So go and cover up your legs and make Blair Waldorf happy. You know she would be!

I live for glitter xoxo

Show me your nails

Sometimes I get antsy and fidgety. When that happens, I just want to bite my nails. I was always embarrassed by my nails, and that’s not good, since they’re kind of out there for everyone to see. So, a few years ago I came up with this brilliant idea to start wearing nail polish. I figured if I spent the time on my nails, I wouldn’t want to ruin their beauty by biting at them. I realized that I love wearing black, so one day I went searching for some dark nail polish. This was before dark purple and black nails were a big thing, so it was actually hard to find … luckily Sally Hansen came through for me! I had my deep purple nail polish and I was ready to start my mission to beautiful nails.

Guess what … mission accomplished! But, this whole thing has created a new obsession for me. Yup, nail polish. I’m constantly picking up new shades every time I shop. My friends call me “the girl that doesn’t leave her house without polished nails.” That’s fine with me … I could be called worse things!

Now that we’re in the winter season, you can’t wear those summer colors anymore. But don’t worry, winter polishes are fabulous. And the best thing about nail polish is it’s affordable. Even at $9 a bottle, you get so many coats out of it, it’s well worth your money … trust me honey! Check out my Top Ten winter nail polishes here – just in time for all the holiday parties!

1. To start off, we’ll shop at one of my favorite stores – Sephora (obviously). I love their selection of nail polishes because they have these mini bottles for only $5. The other day I found this amazing shade, “Merengue.” It’s a dark berry color and shimmers. It just screams Christmas!

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P231119&categoryId=S10701&shouldPaginate=true

2. Also from Sephora, is a limited edition color, and it is full of glitter. (Hello, I love glitter)! It’s a black polish with both gold and copper glitter in it, which goes great with a party dress. This color is a must!

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P238502&categoryId=S10701&shouldPaginate=true

3. It’s Navy Baby … by Sally Hansen. I love to pair this dark navy blue nail polish with a pair of dark denim jeans. It just pulls everything together!

http://www.sallyhansen.com/product.cfm?product=73

4. This deep plum color is close to black and has a hint of shimmer to it. It’s also by Sally Hansen, and is one of the new Insta-Dry shades (which dries in 60 seconds people)! This is one of my favorite almost black shades! Every fashionista needs this in her collection.

http://www.sallyhansen.com/product.cfm?product=375

5. Yes, I’m in love with the Insta-Dry collection. Here’s another one of my favorites … Jumpin’ Jade!

http://www.sallyhansen.com/product.cfm?product=375

6. My new favorite color … white! The problem is after a day it can start to look sloppy. Lucky for us, the No Chip 10 Day Nail Color works wonders. Try it in White Tip Creme.

http://www.sallyhansen.com/product.cfm?product=74

7. There’s no better way to honor 2009, then with one of NARS Vintage 2009 Nail Polish shades, $16. My favorite is Zizi. It’s a beautiful clear polish with peach and gold glitter. Very sophisticated, yet sultry.

http://www.narscosmetics.com/Vintage-2009-Nail-Polish-C540_hunger-zizi-tallulah_7.aspx

8. OK, Chanel really does bring fashion to your fingertips. Although their polishes are a little bit pricey, $23, they are worth it. My favorite winter shade is Vendetta . This deep purple color is so rich and their nail polish even strengthens and moisturizes nails. Hello win/win situation!

http://uma.chanel.com/-makeup-nails-nail-colour-le-vernis-nail-colour-/product/MANPR010

9. Every girl needs a classic red shade. This one never goes out of style. I adore, “The Thrill of Brazil,” by OPI. And it looks amazing with a LBD!

http://www.opi.com/

10. And finally, your winter collection isn’t complete without a dark gray polish. Trust me, this looks hot … in a dangerous kind of way. And I love it! To achieve this look pick up “My Private Jet,” also by OPI. You won’t be disappointed.

http://www.opi.com/

Happy nail painting!

I live for glitter xoxo