REVAMP

This blog will be going through a revamp soon. Now that my Fashion Journalism class (which this blog was a quarter long assignment for) is over and done with, I can now write about whatever I please. It's a good feeling to have.

My blogs will more than likely become about inspiration through all types of mediums, including but not limited to fashion, beauty, photography, interior design, crafts, and cooking. I'll also probably be shamelessly promoting some of my crap here and there.

Enjoy!

Natalie Portman's Vegan Shoes

I've known about Natalie Portman's vegan shoe line for a while now but have never actually seen a pair until today. Currently they can be found at Te Casan's website.

They are not extravagant or flashy by any means, but then again neither is Natalie. I'm not saying that in a bad way, I like Natalie Portman, but people will have to keep that in mind when they're shopping.

These are apparently much better quality than other vegan brands. This is a pair I like, a very cute flat, that goes for $185. Like I say all the time, if I weren't broke I would totally buy these.

Stolen for Fashion

Every now and then I'll visit the PETA website to see what kind of horrible acts are going on. Aside from Canadian seal slaughtering, I saw a video titled "Stolen for Fashion" featuring the voices of Pink and Ricky Gervais.

http://www.peta.org/content/standalone/StolenForFashion/default.aspx

I suggest you watch it despite how you stand on the fur war. It's a lot of PETA's other videos, almost over the top, but gets the point across none the less.

I personally don't understand why people would want to wear another creature's skin.
I think it's gross. The title "Stolen for Fashion" makes sense on so many levels, since wearing another creatures skin is not only stealing it, but it's stealing ideas too. Let's try and be original, okay?

What I want now: vintage patterns

You see this bird? I want this bird. I want him on my coat.

You see, I've been looking for a coat with a retro/vintage pattern, almost like something you'd see on Grandma's wallpaper. The most "retro" coats I find are those hideous Ed Hardy wanna be tattoo prints on various clothes at Target. No thanks, I want the real deal.

If I had the time, aside from school or work, I'd just walk myself down to the fabric store and do it myself... but alas, I don't have that kind of time. Hopefully someone will see my blog and either direct me to a place that does have the adorable creatures on their clothing, or just make me one.

Sunglasses: Your new best friend.

Do you wear sunglasses when you're outside? Do you want crows feet wrinkles around your eyes? If you said no to either of those questions then I suggest putting on some shades!

Wrinkles around the eyes are primarily caused from squinting or smiling. No one wants to be a grumpy grouch, and frowning causes fine lines around the mouth. Prevent crows feet the best way by applying eye moisturizers and wearing sunglasses when outside in the sun.

Lucky for us, we have a wide variety of sunglasses to choose from to help save our pretty eyes from harmful rays! So cheer on for sunglasses, and please wear a pair to celebrate both fashion and function!

Image is popular on the internet, and it you know the original source please tell me!

Swimwear Trends 09

Most people that know me know that I grew up on the coast with beach access at the tip of my fingers. Now I live in a city that only offers water to rich people with yachts on a man-made lake, so I feel pretty deprived whenever the warmer weather comes around. This brings me to swimwear and my picky love of what to wear in the sun and sand.

It seems that animal prints, patriotic colors, one shoulder looks, and boho/ethnic inspiration are in this year. I've also seen a couple of tie-dye and geometric prints, as well as lots of sheer swim covers over at Victoria's Secret website. These trends don't really seem so outstanding to me compared to last year. We've had the boho trend, as much as I love it, for quite some time now. The patriotic colors will no doubt tie in with the fifties trend of last year. I can work with both of these, but the animal prints is what I'm really tired of. If I see another leopard print bikini, and I don't care what color it's in, I'm going to retreat back to the city for the rest of the summer.

Images obviously from Victoria's Secret.

Review: L'Oreal EverPure Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

Ironically enough, just after I wrote a blog mentioned my love/hate relationship with L'Oreal, my almost-supervisor at work comes up to me and gives me this L'Oreal EverPure sample kit to try. I used to use L'Oreal Vive line before I found out about the animal testing and loved it. I thought it did a great job at keeping my (then) damaged, blonde hair moisturized and soft. The sample I received was huge (a whole 3 oz!) and the product claims to be 100% vegan and cruelty free, so why not?

WWD Beauty said this about the new EverPure line: "EverPure uses five naturally derived surfactants that aim to create a rich lather experience, while masks and conditioners in the line feature UVA and UVB filters to protect color from the sun’s rays, said Talley. Formulas also contain silicones and cationic polymers for protection and conditioning, respectively."
I'm excited about the UVA and UVB filters since I'm all about some sun protection.

I currently use and swear by John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Shine Release Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. When I first started using that, my hair instantly became shiner, softer, and more manageable. L'Oreal had a lot to live up to in order to please me compared to John Frieda.

My hair was a little oilier than usual when I washed it with this shampoo, but it did a good job of cleaning it all out within two rinses. The shampoo is nice and creamy, but didn't lather up my hair as much as I'm used to. I felt like I had to use more product than normal to get a good clean. The conditioner came out about the same, only the rosemary mint smell was much more noticable. I left it on my hair for about 60 seconds before rinsing it out. The smell lingered, which is much more than I can say for other scented conditioners that I've tried.

I also received a sample of the Moisture Deep Restorative Masque, which I put on my hair next and then loosely tied up with a clip. The directions say to use in place of the conditioner, but I usually use a deep conditioner paired with another conditioner anyway. I meant to leave this on for three minutes, but due to my hot water running out, I was only able to leave it on for two. Rinse, leave shower, towel dry.

I never, ever, blow dry my hair. Ever. I only flat iron my hair every once in a while. So, if you use a lot of heat damage on your hair I don't know if the results will turn out quite as wonderful as mine did (I think your hair will still be awesome, though). I combed through my hair and immediately noticed the nice minty fragrance and much smoother appearance. The real shock was after my hair dried. My hair is very soft, very shiny, and hardly weighed down at all. My curls are actually bouncy and full instead of weighed down and flat. The shine is just as comparable, if not slightly more noticeable, as the shine I achieve with the John Frieda products. The color looks the same, though, but I think to achieve any real color protection results this will have to be used on a regular basis.

Overall, I am very impressed with this product. L'Oreal has won me over again, only this time I'm proud to use it. The price is about the same as John Frieda, but the results are much more noticeable. I'd definitely buy again and recommend to others with any kind of hair.