All About Mad Men

Mad Men has always been a great show that I watched occasionally, but I have recently been watching more and more.  The look of Mad Men is incredible.  The sixties is where the men dressed up and the women did the dishes dressed to the nines.  Even though he is the world greatest jackass, Don Draper is absolutely hot!  The looks of Betty, Joan, and Peggy are becoming more and more a part of our everyday wardrobe.  I mean who doesn't love a cardigan and red lipstick?

If you are looking for a great cardigan, but not pay a huge price Old Navy and even Nordstrom have some great looks that won't break the bank.

Old Navy Cardigan

Nordstrom Cardigan

Of course can't forget about the accessories!  They are my favorite things and can make your outfit.

Forever 21 Beaded Necklace

Modcloth Heels

Also don't forget my favorite addition: the red lips.  Although there are several shades you can try, but I love the pin-up look to this lip stick.

MAC Ruby Woo

Any of these suggestions can give you that Mad Men look you crave.

The Art of Mixing and Matching

One of the simple stress relievers for me is to do my nails.  I usually do my nails late at night when the house is quieting down.  I usually make a cup of tea, put on a Drew Barrymore flick and do my nails.  When I am picking out my colors I usually take a look at my clothes to see what combination I can think of that would compliment my nail color.  I love to put together different combos on my hands and feet.  It is a rarity that I use the same color on my nails and toes.  Here are a few of my recent combos and hope you come up with your own favorite combo!

My current combo:

Nails: Essie Chinchilly

Toes: OPI Russian Navy

Some other combos:

Nails: Essie Merino Cool

Toes: OPI Miami Beet

Try this one:

Nails: Essie Wicked

Toes: Essie Licorice

Lazy Sunday

As my first weekend with no homework I do celebrate by acting on one of my favorites pastimes, nothing.  I love having no plans and no obligations.  I sleep late, drink a little coffee, and settle down to watch some NFL.  As my team is not being televised (don't worry I have my trusty Brookstone scoreboard.)  I can dedicate this day to some much needed movie time.  I have a pretty good selection of movies that even my family raids as their "video store."  Everything is alphabetized and neatly stacked so I can see each one.  
It is important to decide what kind of movie day it should be.  Should it be a fun girly day with my SJP collection?  (Yes, Footloose is included.)  Or should I go for the action movie bonanza with some Jason Statham and Robert Downey Jr.?  I decide to sit down and have a princess fest.  The movies in which I bide my time is Young Victoria starring the truly adorable Emily Blunt, Elizabeth with the amazing Cate Blanchett, and The Queen with the hottie Helen Mirren.
These films revolve around the amazing English Queens that defined their generations and stand the test of time as brilliant role models for women of today.
Here's some history:

Queen Victoria was just 18 when she was crowned Queen of England.  She like many queens of her time was pushed into marriage so that she could create heirs and get out from control from her mother.  Being stubborn she stood her ground and married her true love her German cousin Albert.  Together they had nine children and Albert's death at the age of 42 made her mourn him for the rest of her life.  She is currently the longest reigning monarch in England's history.

Young Victoria right now on DVD

Queen Elizabeth I was the only child of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.  She grew up in the turmoil of not only her mother's death, but the many marriages of her father.  Henry VIII constantly put her and her sister Mary on the chopping block (no pun intended) and continued to place and remove them from the line of ascension for the throne of England.  After Mary's disastrous reign, Elizabeth took over and become one of the greatest rulers in history.

Elizabeth now on DVD

 Finally our reigning Queen Elizabeth II.  She is still the reigning monarch of England and was just 26 when she became queen after her father died.  Just to be clear, Elizabeth became queen when Harry Truman was in the White House.  She has had 12 Prime Ministers in England and seen 11 U.S. Presidents come and go.  She is currently the ONLY head of state living that served in an uniform during WWII.

The Queen now on DVD

Now you are up to speed just remember, lazy weekends can be relaxing and full of what you want it to be.  So grab some popcorn and some hot chocolate and snuggle up to watch your favorite movies!

Retail Therapy

Mulberry Alexa bag

 I don't know one person who hasn't dipped into the growing medical phenomenon of retail therapy.  Whether you are feeling blue or feeling great, finding that purchase seems to jump start those endorphins.  For myself, whenever I complete a semester of school I always treat myself to some nail polish at Ulta.  I love to take a long, hot bath then paint my toe nails.  Frolicking through the rainbow of colors of the nail polish aisle always gives me the boost I need.  I realize that many people think that an $8 dollar bottle of nail polish is extreme, but some of you have that one object  that you would pay whatever the cost.
Which brings me to the cost of our extravagant tastes.  My such taste is for handbags.  Once you get that first experience of owning your own designer handbag you can't go back.  I remember my first Michael Kors satchel.  I begged and begged for this handbag for Christmas, and on Christmas Day I received my little treasure.  In fact I am carrying right now.  It is just as special to me as it was that Christmas morning.  I have since then collected a Chloe, Marc Jacobs, and Elliot Lucca.  My current obsession is the Mulberry Alexa bag (seen above).  Sure I would love to have a sugar daddy like Kim does on the Real Housewives of Atlanta to get it, but that is gross.
Today every retail chain carries some kind of celebrity fashion label.  We have Kate Moss for Top Shop or Vera Wang for Kohl's.  Coming this October Mulberry is bringing their line of handbags to Target.  I am so very excited and will surely be purchasing my very own Alexa.
I have added my own faves from the various clothing lines at different stores.  What different outfits can we make when we have affordable clothes to fit our champagne dreams.

Mulberry for Target

LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's Lace Jacket

Simply Vera Wang for Kohl's ruffled sweater

Paris Hilton for Macy's Destiny pumps

For all you guys who LOVE nail polish like me, here is my current fave: Essie's Wicked.

Welcome to Fall

Welcome to my first blog!  I don't know if anyone will read this, my mother is probably the only one who will, but I want to try this new device.  This won't be a viral diary of my life, just simple tidbits from my brain.  I will post my favorite restaurants, clothes, movies, and anything pop culture.  So away we go!
I love fall, it is my favorite time of year.  Even as a kid I would welcome the brisk mornings and gray evenings.  Fall represented new school clothes, football games, pumpkins, and my favorite cool weather beverage: hot chocolate.  As I grew into an adult I still embrace those traditions, but mix them up to suit my life.
A huge stress reliever for me is to search the September fashion magazines and see if they fit (i.e. wallet) into my everyday life.  I have added a few pieces that I think could be in anyone's closet without breaking the bank.

Gap- Trench coat

 

 

 

Anthropologie- Scarf

Forever 21- Booties

Essie- Merino Cool