Weekend Rewind via Instagram - Fun All Around

Taking pictures is so much fun but I always forget to bring my camera or I'm lazy about downloading photos. Having a phone that takes great pictures saves me on a regular basis.  I love all of the photo apps on the iPhone.  Instagram is my favorite but I love the composite apps too, like PicFrame. I took some of my Instagram photos from our weekend fun and compiled them in PicFrame.

From the top left...

• Me and Laila hamming it up for the camera.
• Adam and his Gamma on the swings.
• Laila and Adam fishing at the pool.
• A possible wedding venue option - We might have cocktails and cigars out here.

Over the weekend my Honey and I had two special house guests.  Her grandkids stayed with us for the weekend so their parents could have some time alone. She was a young mom so she's a young grandma and we have great fun with them. Our neighborhood pool has a "Fish Out" every year before they open the pool.  They stock the pool with fish and you can come catch them. You pay an entry fee and get poles and bait. We went with our neighbors and had a great time. Then we took the kids to the park and to Dairy Queen for ice cream. I'm still hunting for a great wedding location that won't blow our entire budget.  I'm trying to narrow it down but it's not easy.

From the top left...

•  One of my fun Goodwill finds.
•  My new $14 shades, from Walgreens!
• A fun watermelon lip color for spring and coral nails.
• Layered tops and necklaces.

I always smile when I wear my star bracelet.  I snagged it for just a few dollars and I love it. My new shades were an impulse buy. I spied them while I was at Walgreens dropping off a prescription. They are made by Foster Grant. I love the colored mirrored lenses. I've been on the hunt for a watermelon colored lip stick.  I found this one, Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart.  It's smooth like a balm with buildable color. The polish is Spoiled by Wet n' Wild in Lox-y Lady.  It's only available at CVS and this week you can buy two bottes and get one free. At $1.99 each you can stock up! Last week I wore one of my favorite jackets and layered it with a spring colored shirt, worn open and a tank. Then I layered a ton of necklaces.  I really like the look. It was business with a twist.

If you don't have an iPhone and can't follow my Instagram pics on your phone, you can check them out on Instagrid. All of my photos are instantly posted there.

Lips and Nails - Fun Spring Colors

Bright lip and nail colors can get me through the dark days of winter.  Since we haven't had much winter to speak of here in DC and this week it's in the 80's, I am inspired to share my lip and nail picks for the spring.  With a mix of brights and pastels, there is something for everyone.

Lips

 A bold lip color can really change up your look.  It can make a basic outfit seem special.  The perfect color can even brighten your face. A pretty pink looks great on every skin tone.  Tinted lip balm, like the one below from Mary Kay, can be worn sheer or built up for a more opaque look. 

Mary Kay NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss - Rock 'n Red

Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm (spf 15) - Poppy

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color - Coral Crush

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color - Fuchsia Fever

Nails

I love these colors for nails or toes.  They are fun and a great way to infuse a bit of color into your look. For spring I'm loving bright pinks, blues, and corals as well as a range of pastel colors.

Revlon ColorStay - Rich Raspberry

OPI - Fly

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear - Mint Sorbet (you might recognize this shade from my sunnies DIY)

essie - A Crewed Interest

Wet 'n Wild Spoiled - Lox-y Lady (sold exclusively at CVS)

The Future's So Bright

I purchased this skirt a couple of weeks ago. I got it in black and in this bright blue color. They were on sale and I decided that the bright blue would be great for spring and summer. I combined the bright blue with a great green sweater tee that I've owned for years, some new bright pink flats that were discounted at Target and my favorite moto jacket, because it's still cool in the morning.  This day it was in the low 70's. I'm still shocked that we are having 70 degree weather in DC, in February.  This outfit was insprired by the post "Pop" by fellow DC fashion blogger Lacey of A Lacey Perspective.  I love her bright neon skirt and striped sweater combo.



Jacket - Mossimo for Target (no longer available), Sweater T - Isaac Mizrahi for Target (no longer available), Skirt - Bobeau via Nordstrom (now at Nordstrom Rack), Shoes - Target, Bag - Calvin Klein, Belt - Talbots, Necklaces - gift (monogram), Tosca, Simply Vera Vera Wang for Kohl's (no longer available), Ring - JewelMint (Metal Mosaic Ring), Earrings - ? (very small czs), Sunnies - Dolce & Gabbana via Loehmann's, Lipstick - Maybelline Fuchsia Fever, Nails - Essie Steel-ing the Scene

Months ago I fell in love with the Chelsea sunglasses by House of Harlow 1960. They retail for $138 and that wasn't in my budget. Last Monday, I stopped by Loehmann's and got these Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses with a similar shape for just $40!

I'm Obesessed Thank You Very Much - Neon Accessories

In the 80's neon was a huge trend. It was everywhere.  I even owned a pair of neon pink tights and some truly horrid neon blue mascara that I wore constantly. The neon trend is back again. I won't be reliving the mascara but we all made bad fashion choices in high school.  Come on, you know you did too. I do still love a pop of neon in accessories.  They are a fun way to wear the trend without looking like an 80's flashback or a fashion trend victim. Accessories are a simple way to introduce some color to your outfit and try out the trend without having to dive in too deep.  Neon next to black or white is a stand out.

Neon accessories by Real Girl Runway

You all know I don't believe in spending a ton on trendy pieces. They usually aren't something that will stand the test of time.  You'll be tired of them in a season or two. Finding those trendy pieces for less is key. The necklace is the most expensive in this lot but that's because I couldn't include the necklace I really love in this collage (stupid Internet programs). Below is a necklace made and sold by  Colorblock Shop on etsy.com. This is only one of some fantastic neon pieces listed. You have to check them out. Necklaces are made to order and this one sells for $36. It's such a fantastic piece and it's affordable.
  

Do you like the neon trend or are you going to skip this one?

Neon Accessories

The Color of Love...

Red and pink have always been part of Valentine's Day for me. I remember sitting for hours cutting paper hearts out of red and pink construction paper.  I think it was just an excuse to be creative. I created all sorts of decorations.  Both red and pink symbolize love but red represents passion and pink represents romance and charm. They are both great colors alone or even better when worn together.

Pink Lip - Maybelline Fuchsia Fever

Red Lip - Maybelline Red Revival

 

There are times when I would have thought that this outfit was too matchy matchy but some how it all works together.The colors in the skirt work with the rest of the pieces to create a combo I love. It's so bright and fun, it makes me happy and isn't that what fashion is all about?

Sweater - Target (no longer available), Skirt - Lane Bryant (no longer available), Shoes - Coclico via Simply Soles, Scarf - Goodwill, Belt - Target, Tights - Avenue, Bracelets - vintage, gift, Until There's a Cure, and DIY (red beaded), Earrings - Sakes off 5th, Watch - Timex (gift)

My photographer Honey wasn't available to take my picture, so my wonderful co-worker helped me out.

I've mentioned that I'm on the quest for the perfect red lip.  The whole truth is that I'm a bit obsessed with all kinds of lipsticks, lip glosses, lip balms, and on and  on.  I was thinking that I should count how many colored lip products I own.  I'm a little scared to do that but at least I know I have a bit of a problem. Many years ago my friend Kim and I stood in the bathroom at work, after we both applied lipstick, and counted the number of lip colors in each of our bags. If I remember correctly we tied at eight each. Both of us have the habit of starting the day with one color and changing it up as our mood changes during the day. Hey a girl needs variety.

Before I started on my red lip quest, I owned one red lipstick and one red lip balm.  I now own ten. My Mary Kay Rockin' Red lip gloss isn't in the picture below.

Clockwise from the top: Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm in Cherry, Revlon Colorburst True Red, Maybelline Red Revolution, L'Oreal Target Red, Maybelline Red Revival, MAC Ruby Woo, Revlon Cherry Ice, Sephora Collection Hot Tango, Smashbox Legendary

The pinks are fast approaching the same crazy level.  There are six in the picture below but I've added three more since I took this photo. My three new colors are Maybelline Fuchsia Fever, Maybelline Fifth Ave Fuchsia, and L'Oreal Heavenly Berry and I'm sure that won't be the end. I love bright pink lipstick. 

Clockwise from the top: Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm Peony, L'Oreal Sea Fleur, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Lollipop, Revlon Colorburst Candy Pink, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Cotton Candy, Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm Berry

My post today is part of two blogger challenges.  I'm participating in Everybody Everywear's Red and Pink challenge and the Pretty Shiny Sparkly's Bloggers Do it Better Red challenge.

 

Wear the Trend - Orange You Lovely!

A month or so ago, Pantone issued their Spring 2012 fashion trend colors. The top color is Pantone color 17-1463, Tangerine Tango.  I love me some orange, whether it's peach, tangerine, salmon, or coral. Any color that has those orangey hues works for me.  I know you all don't feel that way but I'm here to tell you that anyone can rock orange. Even if you don't want to wear a top, pants or skirt in orange, you can incorporate it into your wardrobe.

Essie polish in Too Too Hot (no longer available)

Beach outfit, including orangey tank

There are so many easy way to incorporate orange into your wardrobe. If you aren't ready for a full outfit, you can try accessories like a bag or shoes. Try just one piece like a simple tee, even a cardigan.

Orange You Lovely by realgirlrunway featuring collezio watches

You can even go for orange lips, if you have the skin tone or orange nails.

Mary Kay Lip Color - Nourishine Lip Gloss in Mango Tango and Creme Lipstick in Sunny Citrus

Essie polish in Meet Me at Sunset

No matter what you chose, have fun with it!! You can wear the trend. Just make it work for you.

Trends I'd Like to Try

There are so many trends that grace runways and fashion magazines. I pass on many of them because they are just not for me. There are some that I just can't get out of my head and really want to try. Here are a few that are inspiring me right now.

Full Leather Skirt

I love the idea of a full leather skirt. The midi version would look better on me than the mini version. 

Rachel Comey

Louis Vuitton

Feather Hair Extensions

Clip in, temporary feather hair extensions would be a fun way to liven up an outfit.

Bold Lips

All summer I've been wearing bright pink and coral lips. During the 90's I loved wine colored lips.  I'd love to find a new sophisticated shade of burgundy for fall.