Blonder Ambitions

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FABULOUS FOUR – SANTA BARBARA SUMMER

Though summer doesn’t technically begin until June 21, the summer in Santa Barbara always feels like it begins a bit earlier… with the longer days, the warmer weather, and the abundance of international tourists… I feel like my summer {and the summer of numerous other Santa Barbarians} has already begun. Summer is when the grill is king {or queen}… when State Street becomes a spectacle worth beholding… when fragrant flowers like peonies and sweet peas {not to mention the intoxicatingly fragrant evening blooms like gardenia and jasmine} begin to fill the farmer’s market and gardens all throughout town… and when I buy myself a new notebook in which to scrawl thoughts while lounging on the beach. Welcome to a very Santa Barbara summer.

May 17, 2011
CURRENT OBSESSION – MAGNETIC POETRY {PINK WORDS}

I officially purchased one of my new favorite things this weekend: Magnetic Poetry {pink edition}. I know magnetic poetry has been around for what feels like f.o.r.e.v.e.r. now… but this “Pink Words” set is different. It combines all of my favorite things: 1. Words 2. Creativity 3. Pink 4. Frivolity… the frivolity was the aspect that did it for me… for one set to include the words “bunny,” “champagne,” “princess,” “lace,” “lemonade,” and “sugar” basically makes it the definition of frivolity. Frivolity = Happiness. As the company puts it, “A box of words to get you in the pink.” It does not matter which way you arrange these words {upside down, sideways, and in any even relatively grammatically correct order}… you’ll end up with a smile-inducing poetic fairytale of sorts. My first musing went like this {if you didn’t already read it in the photo above}:

look here the mad princess
& her tiny pink elephant whisper
we must drink polka dot champagne
in a charming garden of delicate lace

It reminds me a bit of Alice in Wonderland… I. am. in. love.

May 16, 2011
MUST HAVES – MAKEUP

I think that makeup is the bee’s knees. It has the power to enhance or transform. To empower and seduce. To project innocence or confidence. {view my 5-Minute Face and Advanced Makeup tutorials here and learn how to achieve the perfect pout here}. I’ve had inquiries as to exactly what makeup products I use, what I can’t live without, and what I give my stamp-of-approval to. I decided that I would answer these questions in the most honest way possible… by dumping out my makeup bag {the one that holds my essentials… not the makeup train cases that I have filled with fun colors and rarely used products} and then listing exactly what was in that bag. With this combination of products, I have been able to achieve every necessary look {and they all fit into one Betsey Johnson makeup bag}. As you’ll notice, some of the products are a bit pricey and some are only a couple of dollars {love it!}. All of the products are f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s.

The Tools
1. M.A.C. 168 Large Angled Contour Brush $32
2. M.A.C. 239 Eye Shading Brush $25
3.M.A.C. 217 Blending Brush $23
4. La Cross Eyelash Curler $3
5. Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush $28
The Foundation
6. Maybelline Cover Stick Waterproof Concealer in Light Beige $5
7. Maybelline Superstay 24Hr Makeup in Sand Beige $11
8. Maybelline Purestay Powder Foundation SPF 15 in Buff $8
9. Maybelline Mineral Power Powder Foundation in Nude $8
The Glow
10. M.A.C. Paint Pot in Bare Study $16.50
11. Too Faced California in a Compact – Beach Bunny $28
12. M.A.C. Powder Blush in Coygirl $20
The Eyes
13. M.A.C. Mineralize Eye Shadow – Illusionary/Burning Ambitions $20
14. L’Oreal Lineur Intense Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Carbon Black $9
15. Nars Night Breed Eye Shadow $23
16. L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara in Carbon Black $7
17. Ardell Fashion Lashes Strip Lash, 120 Black $4
18. Duo Eyelash Adhesive in Dark Tone $6
19. Maybelline Expert Eyes Brow Pencil in Light Brown $3
The Lips
20. M.A.C. Lipstick in Hue $14
21. NYC Liquid Lip Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Kiss $2
22. M.A.C. Fashionflower Lipstick $14.50
23. M.A.C. Fashionflower Lipgelee $14.50

May 13, 2011
MENSWEAR? NOT JUST FOR THE BOYS

I adore vests. And fedoras. And large watches. And buttons. And formal pockets. And collared oxfords. Basically, I adore a lot of what is referred to as men’s clothing. I say, “Make it your own.” The trick is wearing perfectly tailored menswear that shows off your curves, is cinched at the waist, and shows just the right amount of skin. I kept my color scheme masculine {chocolate brown, tan, and gray}, but the horizontal stripes and snug vest highlighted the feminine assets. This look is simultaneously professional, edgy, and a bit flirtatious. Pair it with some large earrings, a large watch, and an even larger handbag and this look turns menswear into something undeniably feminine.

1. Balmain Slit Crewneck Vest $665
2. Alexander McQueen Five Button Pinstriped Vest $860
3. Barena Woven Vest $165
4. Nixon The 51-30 Chrono $400
5. Brera Eterno Chrono Watch $650
6. Nixon Chronicle SS $495
7. Eugenia Kim Max $287.50
8. Jennifer Ouellette Boyfriend Fedora $195
9. Eugenia Kim Reid $238

May 12, 2011
POOFY SLEEVES & CUTOUT DETAILS

Shirt, Vintage. Jeans, Abercrombie & Fitch. Shoes, Anna Michelle.

I love a good ol’ fashioned statement piece. A statement piece is something that makes an outfit, all by itself. With a statement piece, you need nothing more than the piece itself. No jewelry. No accessories. You get to play the rest of your look down because the statement piece plays everything else up. When I saw this vintage linen blouse with pearl buttons, cut-out detailing, and large poofy sleeves… I knew I had found a fabulous statement piece. The cream color helps add to its allure and makes the poofy sleeves wearable with denim and during the daytime. I know this blouse will become one of my “go-to pieces” that I grab when a lack of creativity {or a lack of time} hits.

May 11, 2011
MUST HAVES – BOWS

You can just wear one… in your hair, on your wrist, around your waist… for a touch of femininity. Or you can wear them from head to toe for a frilly, girly, oh-so-cute look. I can’t get enough bows. Maybe you’ll fall in love with one {or all} of the bow-topped items below like I have.

1. Crystal Dipped Handheld Mirror Made with Swarovski Elements $350
2. Christian Louboutin Lady Bow $735
3. Anthem of the Ants Bow Romper $62
4. Badgley Mischka Bow Watch $150
5. Giuseppe Zanotti Chiffon Bow Sandal $850
6. Barneys New York Floral Bow Tie $75
7. Lanvin Silk Bow Front Blouse $1,165
8. Christian Louboutin Madame Butterfly Bootie $1,195
9. Tasha ‘Skinny Bow’ Headband $24
10. Kensie ‘Adrienne’ Hipster $12
11. Dior Cannage Stitch Peep Toe Pump $770
12. Heidi Klein Salina Bow Bikini $235
13. Marc by Marc Jacobs D2 Bianca Bow Pave Bow Earrings $68

May 10, 2011