Flower Bomb

I've been loving jackets lately and this flower bomber is the perfect one for the transition from winter to spring. After wearing a lot of black and white this season, it was nice to bring some brighter colors into my outfits. Couldn't stray too far though, of course, so I paired it with a white flowy shirt and some super old black zip jeans that have been living at the bottom of my drawers for quite some time.

Light jackets are going to be an essential part of my spring uniform - I can't wait until I won't have to warm them up with layers. H&M has so many good ones right now, including the one I'm wearing above in different patterns.
Go check them out!

Jacket - H&M (similar)
Shirt - Francesca's 
Jeans - Forever21 (similar)
Boots - Asos
Necklace - Choe + Isabel
Bag - DKNY
Sunglasses - Ray-Ban

~Vida

No Place like Chrome

I recently picked up Essie's No Place like Chrome after being inspired by this post. I quickly realized that the nails in the post were done with nail wraps, but nonetheless I've been loving the reflective metallic nails that this nail polish gives. 

No Place like Chrome is part of their mirror metallics collection. This polish goes on opaque with one coat, and sometimes even looks better with just one coat. It can be a little hard to apply, but after a few shoddy applications, I ended up with smooth chrome nails. 

Love how this makes any outfit look instantly chic! 

What do you guys think about chrome nails? 

~Vida

Weekender

This shirt and sweater have both been staples in my wardrobe for a long time, but I never put them together until now. So easy and comfortable, this outfit is perfect for a casual day. 

Shirt: American Apparel 

Sweater: H&M

Jeans: American Eagle 

Flats: ZARA (similar)

Clutch: Nine West 

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelets: David Smallcombe

Rings + Necklace: Forever21 

~Vida

Sequin Stripes

Thought I would take advantage of warmer weather with bare legs while keeping with my monotone winter palette [still way too cold]. 

This striped sequin boucle sweater was the perfect top for a valentine's date. It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it has just the right amount of glitz and it is adorable. It's on sale now, here! 

Sweater: Heed

Skirt: Zara (similar) 

Boots: Asos

Bag: DKNY

Bow Cuff & Geometric stretch bracelet: [Recent] Forever21 here & here 

Nails: Essie Lollipop & Sephora by OPI Don't be Eggnogious 

Backstage with Bangstyle and MAC NYFW

This past weekend I had the pleasure of going backstage for Nolan Bellavance's NYFW show to check out the hair and makeup looks that were created for his Fall 2013 collection. 

The make up was done by MAC cosmetics. It was very modern with clean skin that held strong against a "dangerous red". 

No eyeshadow, no eyeliner, mascara, bronzer/contour, or blush. The skin was kept fresh and minimalistic with no foundation, just light concealer purposefully placed around the face, and a bit of translucent powder. The brows were also kept very natural looking by combing them up and adding a touch of brow set in beguile. 

The lips were the main focus of the look. Using a mix of just a bite lipstick and burgundy lip mix and defined by beet lip pencil, the makeup artists created a dimensional ombre deep red lip that stood out against the pale skin. 

To finish off the look and for my favorite part of the whole process, they used shine mixing medium on the cheekbones, eyelids and just above the lips to impart a beautiful glossy sheen to the skin. This completely transformed the face, and made the skin look gorgeous and youthful. 

The hair was done by stylist Wesley O'Meara and his team with Bangstyle hair care products. Bangstyle is an indie hair care line inspired by the urban arts movement. Their website really reflects their artistic style with funky, retro mini-ads for their products and a place where people can share and browse inspiration for different hairstyles. 

First, Wesley sprayed some of the light sea salt mist into the models' dry hair to give it some natural texture. 

To give a sporty, model-off-duty look, Wesley applied a liberal amount of the smoothing lotion mixed with some thickening fibre gel at the front of the hair and combed it back. This mixture helped balance out the textures of the two products creating a slicked back look that didn't get crunchy or hard, but maintained its hold. 

And because we are not all runway models, for a more laid back look, Wesley showed me that if you just brushed the hair back slightly over the slicked back portions, it actually made for a chic, casual hairstyle. Think hair in a headband - without the headband (it looks better than it sounds). 

I'm so glad I had the experience to see the stylists and makeup artists in full action at NYFW. I had a really great time. And because the looks weren't so avant-garde, maybe you'll try out some of these runway looks yourself! 

~Vida

Origins Make a Difference Plus

I've purchased quite a few moisturizers in the past, and not one has stood out as much as the Origins Make a Difference Plus rejuvenating moisturizer that I am currently using. 

I've tried the Origins Night-A-Mins cream in the past, but this is a different beast entirely. It is formulated for combination/dry skins with natural ingredients to repair and maintain the skin's natural moisture reserves. I've been using it as a night cream, and the only thing stopping me from using it in the day as well is fear of using it up. As soon as I put this on, it makes my skin look dewey and smooth, without looking or feeling greasy. I also feel that it has incredible lasting power; it sinks into the skin without disappearing or getting wiped off on your pillow case. 

Considering that I put this cream to the test during a windy NYC winter, I have to attribute the smoothness and brightness of my skin to this product. Normally during this time of the year, I would have dry patches all over my face and my skin would look dull and dehydrated. I still get the occasional dry patch in the inner corners of my eyes, but my skin has honestly never looked this good. It has evened out the texture of my skin, and makes my pores look smaller. I also miraculously have had much fewer breakouts, possibly a result of less dry skin building up and causing congestion. 

I have never repurchased a moisturizer, but I will definitely be repurchasing this when I run out. If you are suffering from dry skin, go get a sample of this and try it out! Hopefully it will be as much of a miracle product for you, as it was for me. 

~Vida 

Collar me Red

Sweater: Forever21; Jacket: Calvin Klein; Jeans: Zara; Sunglasses: Tommy Hilfiger; Headband: Zara; Purse: DKNY

The shoes I'm wearing are these motorcycle-type booties. I had to give them a shout out because I've been so obsessed with them lately. They are the perfect everyday boots; they're the right color to go with almost every outfit. 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! 

~Vida