V-Style

Inexpensive Thigh-High Boots At Charlotte Russe

I have been searching for a pair of stunning thigh-high boot below $200 for months now. Now with fall actually here I have been dying to jump into this chilly weather trend, but to no avail. I tried zappos, DSW, Nordstrom and so on, but never found the simple pair of suede thigh high goodies in any price range let alone mine.

Color me surprise, two weeks ago I found them in Charlotte Russe for $40! Here I was willing to pay five times more than that. Oh what a joyful day for me. They have a small platform with a stiletto heel in simple black suede with an almond toe. Exactly what I wanted. They also have purple and brown, but I think black is the dog's tuxedo.

 

Stylish Advice From Momologie

Momologie launched its website and free daily e-newsletter this week, offering moms a reliable stream of practical tips and fun advice for creating happy homes. This adorable and elegantly designed website covers celebrations, holidays, food, travel, beauty, fashion, home and organization. Momologie is something my mom probably would have read if the internet had existed when I was a kid.

“Momologie is like a recommendation or a tip you get from a friend,” said Gia Russo, co-founder of Momologie. “We expect many moms to count on us as a source of new ideas and practical advice. We’re working on stories now that are relevant to what moms are experiencing today, including Halloween, fall fashion, school and the year-end holidays.”

Dads could use this too, by the way.

Mineral Make-Up Reviews

This week I wanted to introduce two mineral make-up brands to you; Fresh Minerals and Raw Minerals.

Mineral make-up is the most simple and natural product you can put on your skin. These ingredients are minerals & inorganic pigments that exist in nature, which are finely milled and purified, then treated or coated with other pigments to create different colours and effects.

The ingredients in mineral make-up allow the skin to breathe and doesn’t block or clog your skin's pores. Plus it offers protection from UVA light and protects the skin from environmental pollutants.

The products I received from Fresh Minerals included waterproof mascara, the Solar eye shadow and the Love Bites shade of lipstick. The lipstick worked and felt like a normal lipstick, but the color is horrendous, do not get the Love Bites shade. Looks like that crazy old woman shade of orange red.

The Fresh Minerals eye shadow didn't cover like I would like. Even after putting foundation on my eye lid and then applying the eye shadow, didn't work well. It was very light and rubbed off very quickly. The Solar shade is great though. I am really into greens on the eyes right now.

As for the waterproof mascara, great! No real clumping and didn't budge when I dunked my head in water. You wouldn't confuse my lashes for fakies, but they looked thick and lovely. It made my lashes pop in a natural way. An awesome task since mineral brands don't always do mascara very well.

From Raw Minerals I received the 7-piece discovery kit for skin perfection. I love it. Although pricey at $180 (at least to me) the brushes are fantastic, the SPF 18 veil awesome (I hate putting on sunscreen everyday this is so much easier and more fun) and don't get me started on the bronzer. I will never part with this bronzer. It blends into my skin so well and naturally, it looks like I am glowing from a refreshing run instead of looking like I applied make-up. My skin always looks amazing after a run, this is a great way to skip the workout part (... but then I'd get fat. Ah, the pros and cons of life).

PRVCY Denim For Breast Cancer Research

I am always interested in clothing that creates a slimming effect so I was curious to see how PRVCY denim would fit my bod. PRVCY is said to "literally look good on everybody" by lifting the butt, slimming the thigh and elongating the legs.

The pair that was sent to me was in my most hated wash, Light Sanding, so I really did have to concentrate on the fit. I put them on and the first thing I did notice is the softness of the denim, very yummy. Then I noticed that my bum did indeed look fantastic, the best it has ever looked in denim, but the thighs didn't slim at all. I have relatively thin thighs and I felt like they made it look bigger. Perhaps it slims the ladies with bigger thighs, I am not sure. In general I am impressed, but I expected more.

As for the brand if you buy a pair of PRVCY jeans this month they will donate 10% of the proceeds to breast cancer research and organizations. If you would like to give directly to breast cancer research click here.

L.A. Fashion Week: Project Runway's Korto Momolu

Last Friday Project Runway Season 5 finalist Korto Momolu showed her Spring 2010 line during L.A. Fashion Week. Although the event wasn't exactly top notch, Korto Momolu's designs certainly were.

Most everything was wearable, flattering to the body unique and had an ethnic edge that didn't overwhelm the clothing like I have seen it done in the past. The handbags were completely fabulous, the accessories fun and Korto's new hair cut was stunning. Considering I just chopped my hair as well I felt a kinship.

Photos Taken By: Afefa Delali Kpodzo

Attractive Work Out Gear By meSheeky

My workout clothes have always been hideous. My reason being, “Why spend money on yoga pants when I can spend money on a cocktail dress?“ But this is getting out of hand. I have been wearing grey high water pants and a tie-dye field hockey shirt from high school for over ten years now (not kidding). Ergo, my search for attractive work out gear. 

One brand I came across was meSheeky. Although the name kind of bugs me the sweet yoga inspired clothing does not. The meSheeky style is meant to maintain the high standards of the savvy urban shopper with an active lifestyle. Hello me! I have the Trixie skirt in slate pictured here. Throw it on over your leggings and you can cover flaws as well as spice up your sweat attire.  

Plus the brand is respectable. MeSheeky was launched in 2009 with a philosophy to design and manufacture sustainable clothes in a way that respects both the environment and the wearer. The collections are all designed and made in the U.S.A with a headquarters in Park City Utah.

When Did Bebe Become Cool?

For years and years Bebe always seemed to be worn by tasteless skinny girls. Basically ghetto girls with a bit of cash. Too tight club attire and waist teasing tees with Bebe written in rhinestones across the bust were the calling card of this brand. Granted I am someone that can find something useful within any label so occasionally I would buy an item from the skimpy peddlers.

But then something happened. It wasn't just a jacket here and vest there that caught my interest. I started regularly stopping into Bebe to find some fabulosity. They have upped the edge quality instead of pushing hooker wear these days. Sexy is still top priority, but half of its merchandise is truly stunning, fun or unique (the other half reflects its cheesy past).

In addition, the Bebe ad campaigns have true models (unlike the picked-out-of-the-club chicks still present on the website) styled with a fashion eye and the stores' window displays reflect this tone.

So, if you haven't been in Bebe for awhile because of all the crap they used to have, it's time to check back in. There is definitely a stylish breeze blowing up the skirts at Bebe.

Beauty Review: Liz Earle Superskin Bust Treatment

The past few weeks I have been testing out the Superskin line extension from Liz Earle Naturally Active skincare. The line consists of Superskin Body Cream, Superskin Bust Treatment and Superskin Eye & Lip Treatment. I decided to focus on the bust treatment. Let's just say although I love my rack it could use some plumping. On the box it says,

"Packed with powerful naturally active ingredients, this ultra-light, precious serum will visibly plump smooth and firm skin around the bust and décolletage. Rich in omega 3, GLA and antioxidants this potent botanical blend is perfect for skin which has lost elasticity, tone and firmness due to prgnancy, weight change, menopause, sun exposure or age, making it look and feel rejuvenated."

In general I like it. It feels good, smells nice, absorbs quickly, doesn't leave a residue on my bra or clothing and I like the idea of dedicating a few moments of my day to massaging my breasts with a loving serum. It's almost like an elegant and efficient form of masturbating...

Which is all well and good, but did I see visible plumping? I am not sure and at $50 a pop I would like to really notice something. So my advice is if you have money to burn go ahead and get it, but if not use some quality lotion to rub on your boobs.

For those on the hunt for it, the entire Superskin range is avialable at STUDIO BEAUTYMIX at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, California, Brownes Apothecary & CO. in Miami, Florida and at www.us.lizearle.com.

Lindsay Lohan's Debut As Ungaro's Artistic Adviser

According to The New York Times, Lindsay Lohan's debut as Ungaro's artistic adviser did not go over well. "Ms. Lohan’s arrival at a 45-year-old Paris house known for $1,500 dresses and a tradition of couture craftsmanship is ...  something akin to a McDonald’s fry cook taking the reins of a three-star Michelin restaurant, " explains Eric Wilson. Apparently the crowd was aghast at the sequined heart pasties placed over some of the models nipples and the skin tight dresses. Personally I was more disturbed by the uninspired blazers taken straight from 1985. 

At the end of the show, with little applause for Lohan and Estrella Archs, the buyers from Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdales along with editors in chief of Harper's Bazaar, Instyle and Elle all ran for the door.

Let's just say Mounir Moufarrige, the new chief executive of Ungaro, was correct when he said his intention of hiring Lohan as artistic adviser was to give the aging brand the equivalent of electric shock treatment. People are shocked all right.

I must admit though, after taking a look at the line myself, I like some of the pieces. Once I get past the ridiculous hearts, tube tops, overly 80's shapes, terrible styling and the adage "think pink!" I would wear quite a few of those sexy patterned frocks and a couple pairs of the pants. Then again, I am a girl who loves a good mini dress and slim stem covers even if it is designed by a nympho party animal who did a few movies.

Pictured below are a few of the ones I am liking...

Review: Vaseline Sheer Infusion With Stratys-3

Vaseline has come out with new the Vaseline® Sheer Infusion™ with Stratys-3™ body lotion. Apparently this is a breakthrough in moisturizing technology that delivers moisture across all skin’s layers. Supposedly, Stratys-3™ is the most powerful, patented moisturizing complex available that combines three ingredients that infuse moisture across the skin’s top, core and deep down layers. The website goes on to say that it will create an unprecedented silky feeling beyond the extreme hydration.

I may not know much about the lotion's technology and the chemicals behind it that may or may not be the healthiest, but I must say my skin feels incredibly silky. I am one of those people that hate that feeling lotion leaves behind and this one doesn't do it at all. I get the moisture without the stickiness. Consider me a major fan.