Make Dresses Wearable this Winter !

There are many easy ways to make your spring, summer, and even fall dresses wearable for winter. Clothes are an investment that women take pride in wearing. Personally, being able to enjoy my entire wardrobe throughout the entire year with the help of a few simple tricks makes all the expenses worthwhile. 

Taylor Swift is the queen of turning fashionable outfits winter-ready.

In outfit number one, we see her pairing a mustard color (one of my fav colors of fall and winter) with patterned tights and tall stiletto style boots. By adding the tall boots and long wool coat, she transformed her outfit.

In picture two, we see Taylor adding a festive plaid coat to her wardrobe. Tucked into her infamous cowboy boots are jeggings--jean leggings, which are also a warmer alternative to tights. By adding the red plaid she really winterized this outfit.

In outfit three Taylor is wearing a black coat, patterned tights, and cowboy boots. The contrast between the girlie tights and cowboy boots is very chic. The coat and tights make this outfit ready for the cooler months.

Holiday Makeup--Dark Lips

A big trend of this autumn season has been fall lips and I think they are especially appropriate around the holiday season. This fall lip colors with deep burgundy and purple undertones have really been popular on the runways. 

To make the dark lip wearable, make your lips the focus of your look. Having dramatic eyes, lips, and cheeks would take away from the actual lip color. When working on a dark lip look, use neutral shades to define your eyes. For cheeks, applying a bronzer would take away from the color of the lips, so stick to a neutral blush or one in the plum family to give yourself a healthy glow.

HOW TO: Easy Glitter Nail Removal

A really up and coming trend of this fall is the glitter nail. Glitter nailpolish has been very popular throughout 2010, however painting your nails one color and adding a glitter nail to only one finger is a bold way to change up a look. 

(photo by Makeup By Tiffany D)

Glitter nailpolish is very difficult to remove and often lasts for a long period of time. A quick and easy way to making your glitter nail last and making removal easy is to apply two coats of a non-glitter polish first. By applying this polish you are giving something for the glitter to stick to other than your actual nail. Then apply your glitter polish, finishing with a top coat. 

The polish will literally peel off, however it is best to remove it with nail polish remover to prevent any nail breakage.

Who Wore it Better?

Who Wore it Better?

(left Taylor Swift, right Jessica Szohr from Gossip Girl)

I think Taylor Swift wore this outfit better. She really made the outfit unique by adding textured tights and black cowboy boots. I think Taylor Swift really made this outfit appropriate for the cold time of year, and really brought her own country-western style into this skirt and top. 

I think Taylor Swift's outfit can inspire a lot of winter looks. This look can easily be recreated by pairing a pair of tights with any dress or skirt. Adding a scarf and jacket will also make this outfit seasonally appropriate. Throw on your favorite boots, and you're ready to go!

Tips & Tricks on Stopping Holiday Weight Gain

As the upcoming holiday season is quickly approaching, good, hearty food is always to be expected. There are many simple things to incorporate into your day to make sure you don't experience any unexpected holiday weight gain ! I think it's important for women of all ages to take these steps into consideration and become aware of these simple tips.

1. Parking Farther Away: 

No matter where you are: school, shopping, running errands, it doesn't matter. If you park farther away then you get the extra few steps towards your destination, plus more walking back to your car. Just remember during these cold winter months to always wear weather-appropriate clothing and bundle up!

2. Practice Portion Control

Although all the holiday food is mouth watering, it is vital to practice portion control early on. Remembering the correct amount of food intake will help you fight off the holiday bulge. Also, remember to chew slowly and really take your time eating. The slower you eat, the faster you realize how full you are getting. Try not to go back for seconds, and take any and all leftovers home for a yummy lunch or dinner for the following day.

3. Take Only One Desert

At all our family holiday gatherings, more likely than not there will be several desert options. All the desert will be enticing, however to prevent over eating just choose one. This way you will get to indulge on some yummy food, but will not be stuffing your face and body.

4. Drink Water

During these holiday months it is not only very important to drink lots of water, it will also help keep sugar intake at a minimum. But substituting water for pops and juices, we are eliminating a lot of unnecessary sugars. Water will also keep your body hydrated inside and out, which is especially important during the cooler months.

5. While Shopping, STAIRS not ELEVATORS

One of the easiest tricks to preventing weight gain is something you can do WHILE holiday shopping! Instead of waiting in line for elevators or taking the easy way out and going down the escalator, you might as well take the stairs. This will not only keep your legs toned, it will increase metabolism, preventing weight gain.

OCTOBER FAVORITES

I honestly can't believe October is over... very bittersweet. This is definitely one of my favorite months of the whole year.

But now we get to look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas... !!

anyways..

it's time to do my montly favorites:

1. Mac's Eyeshadows in Retrospeck and Satin Taupe

 (^Retrospeck)

 

(^Satin Taupe)

I have been using this two eyeshadows every single day. Although they don't look like a pair you would ordinarily put together, these shadows completely compliment each other. I especially recommend these shadows for all the blue and green eyed people because it really brings out the blues and greens in your eyes.

2. Urban Decay Primer Potion

 Again, another product I've been using daily. I had bought this a while back but hadn't used it much but this month I pretty much cleaned the whole tube out! This really REALLY keeps your eyeshadow on alllllllllll day. Literally. All day.

3. Bed Head Brunette Goddess Shampoo

Unfortunately, this favorite is only for brunettes. I got this shampoo at the beginning of the month and have used it every day since. The smell is HEAVENLY. It smells like cinnamon and vanilla and so much goodness. I could eat it. Also the smell lingers in your hair forever. It leaves the hair clean and so so soft. Definitely a repurchase, however this bottle is sooo big you don't have to often !

4. OPI's Sky Teal We Drop Polish

My favorite polish of the month by far! This peacock, jade blue has been very in this season and this polish has blown me out of the water. It's creamy consistency is amazing and it drys fast to a gorgeous shiny finish.

5. Mac's 217 Brush

I've had this brush for months, however it's really stood out to me through October. I am always reaching for this brush to use with my crease colors because it not only places the color exactly where you want it, it blends it out at the same time. Probably one of Mac's most multipurpose brushes.

Bright, Glowy Purple

I created this look using my new Coastal Scents Hot Pots. 

This look was inspired by Makeup by Tiffany D's purple look.

I started off using a light cream eyeshadow base that was close to my skintone. Next apply a bright purple all over the lid and into the crease. You can take this shade around your lower lash line as well. Next, blend into your crease and towards your brow bone a lighter purple shade to create a glowy affect. Lastly apply either a black shade or if you have a dark purple you can apply this to your crease. Don't forget to blend! I would definitely recommend false lashes and liner to complete the look. :)