Chopped Off These Not-So-Golden Locks

A few years ago I cut off 13 inches of my hair and donated the bunch to the Locks of Love charity that takes hair and makes them into wigs for caner patents or people with disorders, causing them to lose or be completely barren of hair on their head. Just today I made the cut again. My hair wasn't getting much longer and was weighing me down, so I cut off eight and half inches, almost nine. This time I am donating them to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths Cause. Here's just a series of before and afters, taken on my state-of-the-art, high quality, macbook. I'm pretty excited with the look, but it's a big difference than the past two years.

And I cut off THIS MUCH

That's right, this much!

Well, now you know the end result, but ta-da!

I love it. This cut is so fun and light. It's definitely a completely different vibe from my old do, and I can barely pull it into a ponytail, but I'm excited. I cannot wait to let my hair be wavy and see how this looks not straightened.

I strongly recommend, if you ever get the chance or decide to grow your hair out, to donate. It's a wonderful feeling and goes to a great, often overlooked, cause. By helping to make one of these wigs you're giving someone self-confidence, and a smile.

Dresses from the Primetime Emmy Awards I Can't Make Up My Mind About

I'm completely on the fence with these six dresses! Part of me thinks they're gorgeous and fabulous, yet part of me wont fall completely in love with these looks. It seems like some of these looks were on their way to gold when they took a wrong turn.

Jane Krakowski in Escada 

PROS: The fabric's pattern and color are gorgeous. It hits the waist at the right place, and the the draping and shape of the shoulder is that perfect extra touch. CONS: I'm not too sure about the large drapery on the  hip. It makes the dress look really heavy, I can't help but be reminded of curtains. It's like something is just hanging from the hips.
 

Olivia Munn in Zac Posen

PROS: The structured bodice is very well made and the detail is beyond cute. I like the color on her, too. CONS: The bottom half of the dress has awkward seams (is that one below her hips exposed?). It seems a bit unflattering and can't compare to the bodice.

Kelly Osbourne in Tony Ward Couture

PROS: The draping is phenomenal and frames her beautifully. The whole dress fits her so well. CONS: The diamond pattern is intriguing, but I can't say if I fully like it on this dress.

Glee star, Dianna Agron in Carolina Herrera

PROS: The lace is gorgeous and the way the bust flows into the skirt is flawless. CONS: I think this dress would be better without the layers, if the gown was one sheath. The layers and the mass amount of lace date this dress. Because of the rusted lace, I agree with some reviews saying this dress lacks youthfulness.

Christina Hendricks in Christian Siriano

PROS: The detail at the waist is gorgeous and it is so well made. Christina Hendricks and her figure are fabulous, and this dress highlights her curves perfectly. I'm seriously in love with the bodice to waist detail! Furthermore, the ruffles peeping out from the bottom of the dress are such a cute accent. CONS: The feathers. They are that big of an eye catcher, and I can't tell if I love them or hate them. 

Anna Paquin in Alexander McQueen

PROS: The beading and top detail is beautiful (have I used that word too much?) I always love McQeen; he is a visionary. The avant garde shoulder to chest piece, while heavy looking, is great. CONS: I don't like it against the black. It loses everything when just plain black is on the bottom half of the dress (more warm colors, beading, or detail would have been nice). The seam across the hips is not doing anything for me, as well.

January Jones in Versace Atelier 

PROS: I love Versace. The train of this dress falls so nicely and gives the dress a great shape. I love the color, and the idea of partial circles creating this pattern, following the way the dress falls. The avant garde look is headed in the right direction. From her hips to her toes I am really liking the shape and detail.
CONS: I just wish it didn't look like a million little pieces on the dress. It's a cool idea, but because of the choice of blue, I have this image of cut up plastic party cups on a dress designed by a Project Runway competitor during its no fabric challenges. The circles on her chest are really awkward, too. If the same semi-circular shape continued to the bust area, this dress might sit a little better with me. I wonder how much this dress weighs...

The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards' Best Dressed

Starlets lined up on the red carpet last night for the Emmys. It was nearly impossible to narrow it down, the gowns that walk the red carpet are always fabulous. However, here is my top 15 best dressed of the 2010 Emmy Awards.
 
Glitterati: Maria Menounos in Ralph & Russo and Claire Danes in  Armani Privé
  
Navy Girls: Lea Michele in Brian Atwood, Jayma Mays in Burberry Prorsum, Julie Bowen in J. Mendel
 
Kyra Sedgwick in Monique Lhuillier and Eva Longoria Parker in Robert Rodriguez
  
Tina Fey in Oscar de la Renta and Heidi Klum (looking stunning) in Marchesa
 

Plunging sweetheart necklines: Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Kristin Bauer
 

Shades of purple: Emily Blunt in John Krasinski and Mariana Klaveno

    

Nina Dobrev in Zuhair Murad and Rose Byrne in Gucci

with pockets full of promises and poems

The lyrics are from "Starry Night" by ZOX.

I tend not to wear shoes that often in the summer :)
Anyway, I brought this dress from a thrift store last year. It was floor length and had way too many ruffles so I brought the bottom piece that had the perfect amount of frills and moved it up, shortening the dress and making it a lot fuller. It's one of my favorite dresses, except you might notice that the top button is missing ( :( ).

View or hype this look on LOOKBOOK and CHICTOPIA

...my hair's a bit messy...

Rain, Rain, Go Away

I can't even stand outside for a few minutes without getting soaked. I've been running to my car to dodge the rain, it's pretty funny. Well, that explains the low quality and funny colored pictures. Aha, I went for the (very) messy bun and I'm noticing that I'm a personal fan of not showing my face. Also, my favorite thing about the necklace that is simply a chain and cut-out silver ball is that it is a Viking bell supposedly symbolizing strength. My mother gave it to me one Christmas. Today's outfit:

Hype and comment on LOOKBOOK and CHICTOPIA

Check out the Starfish earrings!

Earrings: Bought Them at My Friend's Store
Necklaces: Gifts
Cardigan: Target
Layered Tank Top: Sample Sale in NYC
Skirt: Sustainable Clothing Store in Asheville, NC
Boots: Forever 21

Seventeen Magazine's "Fashion Faux Pas"

First, read this article: http://www.seventeen.com/fashion/tips/celeb-fashion-faux-pas
Agree with anything they say? Because I don't, really. Here's my opinion on each "fashion don't" they list in the article.

1.  "doN'T: WEIRD HEAD SCARF"
 Seriously, this look can be done right and look super chic. Don't write it off so quickly. I like these looks I found.

(links at bottom)

2.  "dON'T: SHOWING TOO MUCH SKIN"
Okay, I agree. There's a certain level of decorum appropriate for day-to-day wear, and showing this much skin does not fit in that category.

3.  "dON'T: Showing your underwear"
Yes, don't show your underwear - but I'm sure this look was unintentional. The dress is gorgeous, however, I'll agree: try not to flash your underwear (accidentally or not).

4.  "don't: wearing only one earring"
I'm pretty sure it just fell out somewhere in the hustle and bustle of the red carpet. Cut Jordan Sparks some slack. Helpful tip: use rubber backs if your dangly earrings won't stay put. 

5.  "dON'T: Wearing lingerie as an outfit"

Agreed - don't follow the example they provide. The look is trashy, maybe Adrianna really did forget her shirt. Unless you're as bold as Lady Gaga, be careful. If you want to try out this look and it's right up your alley, here are a few ways to do it right.

The last picture is a slip dress. Its the perfect underwear as outerwear, and vintage slips can  be the coolest dresses because of the detailing some have. (links at bottom)

6. "don't: oversized shoulders"
What it should say is "Don't mix two outrageous trends that you know really don't go together." Animal prints are always cool but this one is strange and not flattering to this dress. The shoulders on this dress are big but it could be really cool. It's similar in shape to a dress I posted a while back. Big shoulders are coming back, thanks to Lady Gaga again. Just embrace it correctly.

7. "don't: trying to look too messy"
It's Ke$ha - of course don't try to look like Ke$ha. Only she can pull off that look - if that.

8. "don't: see-through shirt"
Actually, do try to look as hot as Riana. Don't: scrutinize her for that shirt not being able to withstand the flashing bulbs of countless paparazzi. If you do think you'll be ambushed by flashing cameras, pull your shirt tight a bit to test if it's too thin, and wear maybe a nude bra. Also, see-through shirts can be totally cool if done purposefully with an appropriate corset/bra/bandeau or undershirt.

9. "don't: Too many conflicting layers"
False. This outfit is so cute and eclectic. Layers are great and Seventeen doesn't know what it's talking about.

(links at bottom)

10. "don't: Too-Short Dress, no pants"
The outfit can seem really cute but, in reality, if you can't bend the slightest bit even to sit down, this look is not fit for public. Be careful even because short dresses and scandalous looks can be, well, scandalous.

11. "don'T: too-long maxi dress"
Don't wear a dress you'll be tripping over, but the dress they picture is fine. Don't wear a dress much longer than that. Make sure that when you walk, your feet/shoes can peak out from the dress so their visible. That way you're not wearing a sheet and shuffling in a too-big blanket.

12. "don't: Showing your bra"
O.K. don't show your bra, unless you're trying the underwear as outerwear trend.

As promised, links:
Image 1, Image 2, Image 3
Image 4, Image 5, Image 6
Image 7, Image 8

One Skirt. Four Seasons. Endless Possibilities.

Polyvore makes putting outfits together so much easier than before when I used photoshop, yet I constantly get carried away.
Plain, knitted skirts are perfect to wear for every season. You can dress them up and down and any-which-way to fit the occasion. I wear my American Apparel knit skirt to the death. It's the perfect basic piece. I have this in gray, but American Apparel is in the gutter right now and out of stock in this skirt. Their California Fleece Tulip Skirt is just as good.

The versatile skirt. Click the images for content and item list (will redirect you to polyvore.com)

Spring

Spring to Summer

Summer

Summer to Fall

Fall

Fall to Winter

Winter