Fashion Week Friday

Oh. em. gee.  It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Of course it is!  It's New York Fashion week.  Yesterday was the first days of the shows, & I cannot wait to see all the looks from the runway, & from all the gorgeous starlets who will be sitting front row.  I've decided that I am going to wait until next week to share my views on all the fashion eye candy overload we will be treated to in the week to come.  To hold us over until then we have...

Friday's Celebrity Outfit of the Week

Dakota Fanning in Elie Saab at the premiere of "Night Moves" in Venice, Italy.

Source: people.com

Dakota Fanning looks insanely gorgeous in this dress.  It's navy color looks stunning with her fair skin & pale blonde hair.  This gown is the perfect sexy princess confection, with the deep v of the neckline adding  sex appeal, & the sparkle & full skirt balancing everything out perfectly.  Over her career Fanning's style has evolved into that of a super chic starlet, which she puts on showcase in this stunner.  My one downfall to this look was that I wish she did a little more with her hair then just having it straight & simple, a romantic updo would have really completed the look.  Overall, this look was by far my favorite of all the celeb outfits this week, & one of my favorite red carpet glamor moments I've seen in a while.

So last weekend I was a lazy bum who slept, & set up her new apartment all weekend, & enjoyed every minute of it.  This weekend I am recharged & ready to head out, so to get us all in the Friday fun mode here is my #backthatazzupfriday song!

  Have a great weekend!  

Red Carpet Style Star: Lea Michele

Since Lea Michele started getting big attention for hitting red carpets shortly after “Glee” premiered we began to see her incredible fashion sense that has only grown more fabulous.  Lea always stuns on the red carpet no matter the occasion or dress length, frequently alternating gowns & sexy minis.  She explores a variety of different colors in her red carpet looks from blacks & nudes to hot pink & red, & she looks amazing in every hue.  Not one to shy from showing off her rocking bod Michele knows what works for her & what assets to put on display, some cleavage & those gorgeous stems, favoring high slits & plunging necklines .  She also frequently changes up her hair sporting side parts, center parts, bangs, multiple updos, waves & straight locks, always hitting it out of the park.  I’ve never seen “Glee”, but I love Lea Michele because she is an impeccably outfitted Red Carpet Style Star.

Which of Lea’s looks is your favorite?

Must Haves of the Moment

Right now I'm really in love with a few things.  They have all been super helpful over the last week, & I am using them so much that I am dubbing them my "Must Haves of the Moment".

1. Pilot G-2 Retractable Gel Ink Pens (Staples) 

I got these before I started school & am obsessed with them!  They come in so many fun colors & I have been using them to write in my planner & on my calendar.  I've used other Pilot G-2 Gel Ink Pens in the past & they are by far the best pens out there.

2. MaryKay Lash Love Lengthening Mascara in I Heart Black (MaryKay) 

I got this from Influenster in the MaryKay Vox Box.  I have used a million different mascaras from DiorShow to Maybelline Great Lash, & this is my hands down favorite.  Since I started wearing mascara I've had a problem with mascara flaking from my bottom lashes onto the skin under my eyes, & I've had this problem with every single mascara I've tried (from the time I open the bottle) except for this one.  It is now the only mascara I will be using.

3. Neutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes in Pink Grapefruit (Target)

I reviewed these a while back & have been using them like crazy lately.  It's been so hot outside, & I've been getting so sweaty walking to & from class, these are super refreshing & have been keeping any sweat induced pimples at bay.

4. The North Face Women's RDT Rain Jacket (Dick's Sporting Goods)

The weather has been alternating between gorgeous & terribly rainy, & my handy Weather Channel App is no longer reliable because no one can tell when it is going to rain.  As a precaution I've been carrying around my rain jacket I got this a few weeks back (on sale!) at a The North Face store, it works amazing & has successfully protected me from torrential down pours.

5. Vera Bradley 2014 Student Agenda in Lola (Vera Bradley)

My agenda helps to keep me super organized, & with all my new syllabuses in hand this has been working overtime.

6. SmartWater (Target)

With the high temperatures it's so important to stay hydrated.  I drink a bottle of SmartWater everyday because it has electrolytes in it, which my body has a tendency to lack.

7. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment (Sephora)

I'm usually not huge lip balm person, other then putting it on before I go to bed, but this lemony one is so luxe & packs a punch of moisture, which my lips need!

8. iPad 2 (Apple)

I have all of my books & notes for school on my iPad.  It is a complete saving grace for my back & has been on fire since I've been back to school.  I also like to work the angle that it's eco-friendly since there is no paper involved.

So now that you know my "Must Haves of the Moment", what are some of your must have items?

Baking Soda Beauty #6: Cleanser

The next step in the Baking Soda Beauty Series is to discuss the different facial cleansers that can be made with baking soda.

Using baking soda to wash your face is a natural alternative to chemical filled store brought cleansers.  It can be mixed with a variety of different ingredients to make various face washes.  Baking soda absorbs oil & works really well to fight pimples & blackheads, making it a great item to clean your face with.  For years people have been making their own face wash, & with the recipes below you can too.

Cleanser 1

This is the most basic recipe & the one everyone knows, because it is a tried & true standby. 

Ingredients:

1 tsp. water

1 tsp. baking soda

Instructions:

-Mix until paste is formed.

-Apply to face in circular motion for 30 seconds.

-Rinse off with warm water.

Cleanser 2

With honey as an added ingredient, this cleanser brightens skin.

Ingredients:

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp. water

1 tsp. baking soda

Instructions:

-Mix until paste is formed.

-Apply to face in circular motion for 30 seconds.

-Rinse off with warm water.

Cleanser 3

This is a super moisturizing way to exfoliate your face.

Ingredients:

1 tsp. coconut oil

1 tsp. baking soda

Instructions:

-Heat coconut oil until just melted (comfortable temperature to apply to skin).

-Mix ingredients until paste is formed.

-Apply to face in circular motion for 30 seconds.

-Rinse off with warm water.

Cleanser 4

This powerfully fights breakouts without irritating skin.

Ingredients:

1 tsp. argan oil

1 tsp. tea tree oil

1 tsp. baking soda

Instructions:

-Mix until paste is formed.

-Apply to face in circular motion for 30 seconds.

-Rinse off with warm water.

Cleanser 5

In this cleanser the Cetaphil works as a gentle base, & nutmeg, witch hazel, & baking soda all work to clarify & exfoliate skin.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. nutmeg

2 tbsp. witch hazel

1/2 cup baking soda

1 cup Cetaphil Cleanser

Instructions:

-Mix until paste is formed.

-Apply to face in circular motion for 30 seconds.

-Rinse off with warm water.

-Store extra in air tight container.

I love using natural alternatives for beauty products & a facial cleanser is no exception.  Try each of these for their different benefits, & enjoy clean & clear skin.  

Have you ever tried any of these recipes?

Other posts in this series:

Baking Soda Beauty: #1 Shampoo Alternative

Baking Soda Beauty #2: Face Masks

Baking Soda Beauty #3: Dry Shampoo

Baking Soda Beauty #4: Spot Treatment

Baking Soda Beauty #5: Teeth Whitening

What to Wear: Class in Early September

I hope everyone is enjoying their day off!  Since I started school last week I've been loving planning a cute outfit to wear everyday to class.  Because it's early September & still super hot outside it's nice to get to wear pretty sundresses, shorts, sandals, & other summery clothing items while at school.   I know that sooner then later it will be my favorite season, fall, & while I cannot wait to get to wear sweaters & boots, it's nice to savor the last few weeks of the beautiful summer weather.

Dress $59.00

Sandals $29.98

Earrings $29.99

Necklace $41.00

Bangle (gray, white) $32.00

Bangle (coral) $22.00

Bangle (mint) $24.99

This whole outfit is an example of something I would wear to class during the first few weeks of school.  Where I go to school most people get dressed up for class, it's a rarity to see pj pants on campus, which is something I love.  This dress from Urban Outfitters is adorable, & the mint color is one of the hottest colors of the season.  It pairs really well with nude sandals, which are something we should enjoy wearing while we can!  Monogram necklaces are super popular at my school, & I think they add a touch of class to any outfit.  The bangles I picked, a combination of Kate Spade & J.Crew, look great especially when stacked together in these complimenting colors.  I think this outfit is one that could also work for the office depending on what your job is.  I'm off to enjoy the rest of my day off. 

Have a great Labor Day!