Blonder Ambitions

Tag: Fashion

  • LOOK OF THE WEEK – REVENGE OF THE NERDS

    LOOK OF THE WEEK – REVENGE OF THE NERDS


    Everyone has an inner nerd… Let me rephrase that: anyone worth getting to know has an inner nerd… some quirky interest, a dorky obsession, an affinity for the unusual… let that inner nerd come out… and, with a little leather, a little skin, and a dose of confidence {it’s all about embracing your eccentricities, cupcake}… I guarantee you that this nerdy look is not one that the cool kids will make fun of… it’s one that they’ll covet.  Learn the look.  Style it.  Shop it.

    1. G&G Classic Wayfarer Sunglasses with Clear Lens $8
    2. Clark Kent Nerd Glasses $10
    3. Vintage Wayfarer Style Sunglasses with Clear Lens $4
    4. Carven Panel Zip Jacket $1,910
    5. The Row Shelling Jacket $2,200
    6. Rick Owens High Neck Jacket $2,535
    7. Marc by Marc Jacobs Cropped Pullover $98
    8. T by Alexander Wang Cropped Placket Tee $89
    9. Surface to Air Aztec Tee $200
    10. Givenchy Megan Wedge Ankle Boots $1150
    11. Pour La Victoire Whipsnake Cutout Sandal Boots $285
    12. Alexander Wang Leather and Suede Zip Ankle Boots $675

  • MUST HAVES – MAKEUP

    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

  • MENSWEAR? NOT JUST FOR THE BOYS

    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

     

  • POOFY SLEEVES & CUTOUT DETAILS

    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.

     

     

  • HOW TO – THE 5 MINUTE FACE & ADVANCED MAKEUP TECHNIQUES

    HOW TO – THE 5 MINUTE FACE & ADVANCED MAKEUP TECHNIQUES

    If your life is anything like mine… fabulous opportunities arise at the most unexpected times.  Though you would love to always be prepared, sometimes you will be caught off-guard {aka in your pajamas with no makeup on}.  Don’t let this stop you from taking part in the fabulous outing… if you have five minutes {trust me, any worthy individual extending the invite will wait for you, gorgeous} you can be ready to go.  Throw your hair up and remember, you only need a clean base {concealer, foundation, pressed powder}, a bit of shimmer {get a good multi-purpose color pot}, tinted loose powder {to set the look and give you a glow}, a bit of bronzer, a pop of color, and curled lashes {with a good coat of volumizing mascara}.  Read on for a how-to on your steps to achieve the 5-Minute Face.

    1. Bare faced… and have to be out the door in 5 minutes? 2. Put that concealer under your eyes . 3. Concealer? Check. Now pat it gently into your skin. 4. Liquid foundation. 5. Dot it on and rub it in. 6. Our base is done. 7. Pressed powder… Press it on for flawless coverage. 8. A two in one product to highlight eyes… 9. And cheeks. 10. Rub in some tinted loose powder with a kabuki brush. 11. Bronzer everywhere the sun hits… cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. 12. Take the bronzer and use it with a contour brush to define cheekbones.  13. Hot. Pink. Blush. You need a pop of color. 14. Put that color on the apples of your cheeks. 15. Your eyelash curler (aka your best friend). 16. Volumizing mascara. 17. Bam. Less than 5 minutes. 18. Time to go out xo

    For the video version of the 5-Minute Face Tutorial, watch here
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlzdMfPGgNM

    If you’re ready to move on, lovebug… Let’s get on with some more advanced makeup techniques.  Let’s say you know you have somewhere fabulous to go {a hot date, a charity event, girls night…} and you have at least 20 minutes to get ready… advanced makeup techniques only add 15 minutes {max} onto your basic 5-Minute Face.  With the addition of eyeliner {pencil and liquid}, darker eyeshadow, fake lashes, an eyebrow pencil, and a nude lipstick, you’re ready to knock anyone’s socks off… and {though you are already perfect just the way you are} you’ll look like a total glamazon.


    1. You’ve already done your 5-Minute Face… now line the outer third of your lower lash line and inner rim with a black waterproof eyeliner pencil. 2. Voila! Instant drama. 3. Take a flat brush and rub it in light shimmery eyeshadow. 4. Pat the shadow on your lid and sweep it up to your browbone. 5. A wash of light shimmer. 6. Take an eyeshadow brush meant for your crease and sweep it in a chocolate brown shadow. 7. Sweep the shadow into your crease. 8. Back to the flat eyeshadow brush and the chocolate brown shadow.  9. Cover the outer half of your lid with the brown shadow. 10. Use a sponge tip applicator and sweep it in black shadow. 11. Put the black shadow on the outer third of your upper and lower lid. 12. Liquid liner… line your whole eye if you want a dramatic look. 13. Fill in those brows to look polished. 14. See? Polished. 15. One more coat of that volumizing mascara. 16. Fake eyelashes! Practice makes perfect. 17. The perfect nude lipstick. M.A.C.s “Hue.” 18. Smear that lipstick on. 19. The face… bring the drama. 20. The finished lids. 21. Advanced makeup… mastered.

    For the video version of the Advanced Makeup Tutorial, watch here
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=338G3WyKYRU

  • SAFARI RUFFLES

    SAFARI RUFFLES

    It was one of those perfect Santa Barbara days.  The kind of day that called for cutting the workday a little short and making it just in time for a glass of chardonnay at happy hour.  The kind of day that called for a little {or… at 6’1″… a lot} of leg and a few khaki ruffles.  I am a huge proponent of the whole safari inspired trend {it seems to resurface every three years} and I feel that each and every woman should have at least one safari inspired, yet simultaneously uber-feminine piece in her wardrobe.  It’s the kind of look that you can throw together in 30 seconds flat and just pin-up your beachy, sun-drenched hair… that’s what I did.  Polished, yet relaxed enough to go with that chardonnay you should be sipping.

    {accents like ruffles and an oversized distressed leather belt help complete the outfit}