Outfit Post - Flowers and Fluffy Stuff

I know on Fridays I normally do a post about how to style a certain piece five ways, but I have been going back through some of our photos and realized I hadn't posted this outfit yet! Shame on me! This is guiltiest pleasure from American Apparel.  This top haunted me for a few months before I gave in, rushed back to the store, and bought this beauty! In this particular post, I paired it with my fabulous leather shorts from Topshop while bought on vacay to London. (I want to go back sooooo bad) I have the travel bug REALLY bad lately.  I love the look of the feminine top paired with the mini leather shorts.
Since having the travel bug, my husband and I were dying to go to Vegas this weekend, but the flights were crazy expensive, so we settled on driving to our state's capital Austin, Texas! I will be posting our weekend adventure and of course taking video on this new flip camera! You will also see my new haircut in these pictures.  Did I mention I cut 5 inches off the back!?? I know it is a big deal I guess! So, stay tuned!
Now onto the outfit!

(All Photography by Shan Renee)

American Apparel blouse, Topshop shorts, F21 tights, Nine West Booties, Tiffany & Co ring

Happy Friday All!!

XX

Vibrant Streaks in Gorgeous Locks, What's Your View?

I have always loved a peek of bright pink or hint of subtle blue found within gorgeous blonde locks.  I know to some it may seem too "out there" or "over the top", but I must say I adore it!  I am also a hairstylist, so it would make sense that I love to see these funky hues in people's hair.  I have picked some of our top celebrities who gave this bold trend a whirl.  What's your take on this? Yay or nay?

First up is Katy Perry. She is actually my newest girl crush! I love her funky style and how she carries herself with such pizazz.  I think if anyone can pull this look off, it's her!

Jordan Sparks keeps most of her fiery orange red streaks under wraps.  But after a closer look, you can see a little red streak popping out.

Awww and Rachel McAdams.  I have always and will always adore her! And one of my favorite combinations is pink and blonde.  She looks so dreamy!

The infamous Avril.  Although I don't dig her style much, I do think she is a beautiful girl and this look suits her.

Christina Aguilera. Wow, this bombshell has come such a long way.  I do still love this fuchsia  color amidst her baby blonde locks, but I prefer her full on platinum these days!

Would you ever consider donning a funky hue in your locks?? I did last year for about a month.  I had dark brunette hair with a big hot pink stripe in front.  I don't have any photos of it though! (Probably because I rarely take photos of myself with dark brown hair)

Makeup Mondays - Urban Decay's Pony Eyes

I am sorry that I am posting so late today!! The Hubs and I have been crazy busy all weekend and I just got down to makeup business.
I found this particular look on Urban Decay's website that you can find HERE.  It is a mod, 60's look with a little disco sprinkled on top!! It is a heavy turquoise eyelid with a pinky glittery color on the upper lid.  I hope you guys enjoy and let me know what you think!!
Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE.
Happy Makeup Monday!!

XX

A Styling Opportunity for the Non-Profit Autumn's Dawn

I don't post just a whole lot about my personal life, but today is different.  I have a 20 year old sister whom I adore and love with all of my heart named Autumn Dawn Howard.  She is one of the many blessings I have as far as close relationships go, and I enjoy each and every moment we spend together.  Autumn struggled through much of her junior high and especially high school years.  Not because Autumn wasn't smart or didn't apply herself, Autumn has Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome is a developmental disorder that makes it very hard for one to interact socially with others.  It has similar traits as autism, but many Asperger's children go undetected and are simply classified as "socially awkward."  Autumn was not diagnosed until the age of 16, so she went almost her entire school career without a diagnoses.  This is the reason my parents put together the non-profit organization called Autumn's Dawn.  Autumn's Dawn is an organization dedicated to the development of young adults finishing high school with Autism Spectrum Disorders into a stable independent adult life.  While trying to find options for Autumn after high school, my parents realized that there were not a lot and statistics showed many of these young adults ending up without jobs and without friends.  They were determined this would not happen to my sister and wanted to help other young adults in the same situation.

This is my sweet sister, Autumn

The Autumn's Dawn center officially opened in October 2010 and has been getting organized and prepared to take on clients and begin seminars to help these clients.  One of the center's first clients was a young lady by the name of Linda.  After going through testing and setting up goals for herself, Linda decided it would be necessary for her to revamp her entire wardrobe.  She is normally intimidated by shopping and not sure what to buy or even what style she wanted.  That is where I got to be of service to her.  The Director of Programming, Amy, asked if I would like to join she and Linda for a shopping extravaganza! Would I!?? I was SO excited to be a part of this organization and volunteer to help out in any way I could.  So last Thursday me, Amy, and Linda headed out for a shopping trip to remember! We went to Kohl's and all picked out many different outfits for Linda to try.  She tried on every single piece of clothing we put together, and she even learned how to shop, what she did and didn't like, and she said that she had fun! This was the first time she had gone shopping stress free!
She even let me video some of our adventure with my new Flip.  I put together a little video montage of our outing, and I used music from The Cure since Linda told me she really liked them.
This organization is so near and dear to me, I just had to share it with everyone!! And if you want to read more about Autumn's Dawn or have questions about Aspergers's Syndrome, click HERE.
Here is our video!!



Thank you All!!

XX

Five Ways to Style a Tutu

I would have to say the most commented on piece of clothing that I own is my tutu skirt from American Apparel!! And I understand why because it is quite fabulous I must say!  That is exactly why I decided that I would do my Five for Friday post this week on different ways to style this marvelous skirt. So here we are.

1. A no nonsense way to style this fluffy skirt is with a simple tee.  I picked this one up from Forever 21 and I wear it at least once a week! I am a huge tee fan so this look was easy for me.
(F21 tee and headband, AA tutu, Nine West shoes)

2. I am a huge black and white stripe fan.  I feel like you can pair it with prints and almost any color under the sun.  I liked how it looked with the skirt and a classic black cardi.  I topped it off with a black floppy hat for that girly appeal.
(H&M shirt, J.Crew cardi, AA tutu, Nine West shoes, F21 floppy hat)

3. Mixing rocker pieces with feminine pieces is not a new trend, but it definitely works!  I like the edge of my moto jacket and combat boots mixed with the femininity of the tutu.
(VS jacket, AA tutu, Steve Madden boots)

4. The ever classic white button down! I learned of pairing this with a tutu in the book That Extra Half and Inch by Victoria Beckham.  This is the way I wore my tutu when I took it out for its first outing!
(Express blouse, AA tutu, vintage heels, F21 headband)

5. Another Free People top! Must I explain why this is fabulous?? A lace top and a tutu. Enough said!
(Free People top, Express tank, AA tutu, Aldo shoes)

Would you ever wear a tutu? If so, how would you style it!!???

XX

Sassy Updo Hair Tutorial

Here it is! My very first hair tutorial! I guess it is rather funny that I have done makeup tutorials before hair, but I just love makeup so much too, sometimes it is hard for me to choose between the two.  For this particular look, I wanted to do a curly, somewhat messy look that is super easy to do and then top it off with a sparkly headband for a little girly feel.  I am looking forward to hearing your feedback  and comments. And remember if you have any questions, I am always available to answer!
Thank you all!!



You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel as well by clicking HERE!!

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Outfit Post: Channeling my Inner Boho

If you have been following me for any length of time you know I am insanely obsessed with Free People and it's sister store Anthropologie.  I wouldn't say I am 100% any certain style, but I do like the rocker chic style and the effeminate eclectic style known as boho chic. That is what this look is all about!  I even added a little side braid for an extra touch.   I also stocked up on a few new pieces of Anthroplogie gear over the holidays and I took on my first outfit post done by myself! Yes, that's right. It was me, my tripod, and my Cannon 40D in the middle of the bayou field back behind our community.  I love having my cousin around but we live in different cities so I am not always lucky enough to have her at every second that I need an outfit shot!  So here I am, the first one while flying solo!
I figure I will continue to get better, but I thought it went pretty well for the first go around!

American Rag sweater, J.Crew tank, Anthropologie skirt and necklace, Steve Madden boots

I LOVE THESE BOOTS!!!

Who else loves boho!!???

XX

Makeup Mondays - Mint for you Eyes Tutorial

I adore using green eyeshadows!  I love to play up my eyes by adding pops of green with my copper hair, but any eye and hair color can pull this sassy look off!  This particular makeup look was inspired by the Holiday catalog by BeBe that I was thumbing through over the holidays.  I couldn't wait to make this video and share it with you all.

Here is the picture that inspired my tutorial.

And here it is!! I have decided to name it Mint for You Eyes. I thought it to be very fitting.  Let me know how you guys like it.  I love to hear your comments, suggestions, and feedback in general.
And don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE!!



After this makeup tutorial I was feeling so video crazy that I decided to do a hair tutorial for Wednesday's post!  I will be doing a hair tutorial on a messy, wavy up do topped off with a sparkly band for an ultra-feminine look you can wear day or night.
Here are the pictures for Wednesday's hair tutorial!

I just ordered a new palette from Urban Decay that features 15 new colors!!!!! I am so excited I can barely stand it!! So, I will have something crazy fun for us next Monday!

Urban Decay's Book of Shadows Vol 3

I hope you guys enjoy and Happy Monday Lovelies!!

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