Do's & Don'ts - Empire waist dress!

Standing at the ATM, I noticed the woman in front of me was wearing a dress I had recently purchased. Unfortunately, she had a very "boxy" shape and the dress only accentuated that. Thus the inspiration for this blog...

Empire Waistline

Definition: A type of dress or top where the waist line is raised above the natural waistline, sometimes as high as right below the bust. Best on slender-on-top or petite figures, the empire dress creates the illusion of length and camouflages a bottom-heavy figure or thick waist. (from About.com)

Yes, I know I'm petite but this is just a little friendly advice. Empire waists are great from concealing a little extra weight around the middle...

However, not so much if your bust/waist/hips are relatively the same diameter. This creates a "boxy" shape which is not flattering on anyone.

(Forever21)

Here's a bright alternative that will help to create a waist!

(Forever21)

Balance out larger hips with a longer sleeve, creating the illusion of an "hour-glass" shape!

For more info on body shapes check out this website ->

http://www.bodyshapefashionadvice.com/hourglass.php

Makeup Look & OoTD -> Mad Men!

The inspiration for my look today is Joan Harris, a character on the AMC television series Mad Men. As Office Manager and resident "Queen Bee" the best way to describe her look is "pristine". 
Introducing Joan

Here are the products I used.

Revlon PhotoReady Foundation
Natural Collection loose powder
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara
Revlon Liquid Liner
L'Oreal Lipstick in Pink Passion
Natural Collection Lipgloss in Turkish Delight

OoTD (Loving the 60's secretarial look!)

Black Bandeau dress from Forever21
Pink Sweater from H&M
A Single String of Pearls
Gold Buckle Black Belt from Primark
Black Heels by Anne Klein

What I love about Joan's look is that it carefully treads the line between poised and sexy. She always creates silhouettes that accentuate the female form without showing too much skin. Her style reaffirms the character's strongest traits, very much in control without being overly aggressive.

The look has an overall smooth complexion, natural eye with a slight wing tipped liner, and a bright pink lip.

Coordinating nail color in Sunrise Sensation by Colorama (Maybelline) completes the look.

While every hair is in place when Joan attends work functions, for more social occasions she lets her hair down.

Well that was fun. Hope you liked it! Bye! =)

Thursday Trends -> New Nudes!

(Photo from Company Magazine March 2010)

Think light creams and pale pinks...

I purchased this top from Forever21 in February 2009 because I liked the embroidery detail on the front. Usually when I buy a new item I think about what other things in my wardrobe it will compliment. However, this was an “impulse buy”, something I try to avoid. So for months it just sat in my closet, taking up space. I wasn’t sure if the color, a pale pink/nude, truly suited my complexion. I was even less sure of the shape. Baggy/loose fitting items tend to make small people look even smaller. Not exactly what I was going for. But then I pulled it out one day and decided to build an outfit around it. That’s what I do, I pick an item to start with, a top, or shoes, maybe a dress and I pull out other things that might work with it. I like matching up nudes with blacks and dark greys to balance it out. Now it’s one of my favourite tops!

For Fall pair with jeans or thigh high socks!

Boots or sneakers! (Yes I own sneakers! lol)

For Summer pair with caged black heels!

Don't forget your shades!

For a casual day around the house, ballet slippers are a must!

This is also my outfit of the day. Hope you like it! =)

Outfit of the Day -> Brunch with Friends!

Me on YouTube! Yay!

I spent the day brunching with friends! I wore a black strapless tube dress from Forever21.com, beige jacket from NewLook.co.uk with strappy leopard print heels.

 Red leather purse I got in Florence, Italy.

 

   (Craftsmen brand)

(Rimmel London in Red Carpet)

Sexy Stilettos!

 My Girls!

 Me and my brother!

Yummy! :0)

My friend Metra's cool Rubik's cube purse. A great piece can make your whole outfit!

The view from the restaurant of our beautiful island!

@ The Reefs Hotel.

Recreating A Look! -> Taylor Momsen

Giving the Girly a bit of Edge!

Find me on Polyvore

The great thing about Taylor's style is the mixture of girly and edgy. Blend sweet cotton dresses with rugged denim, corsage tops with black leather and plaid with buckle platform heels!

Click on the link to see a detailed list of the items used to recreate this look. I used Forever21.com, one of my favorite US chains!

According to Glamour – Double Duty Dressing

(Glamour Magazine November 2009)

Loving this look on Taylor (in black) and Peaches (in blue), who have adhered to a similar color palette. Unfortunately, though I love Fearne, I don’t love her version of this look. With the blue plaid top and animal print skirt it’s just too much pattern. What do you think, is this look a DO?

My version
(Both tops from Primark, Black dress from Forever21, Boots from New Look)