Grey is the New Black

       Black is chic, right? We wear black smokey eyes to look sexy, black lined cat-eyes to be sassy. We wear black from head-to-toe to look sleek and skinny. We paint on black nail polish in trendy rebellion from our years of "ballet pink" fingers with french tips. 

Black. Black. Black. Black. Black.

       You know what? As far as I'm concerned, grey is the new black. Quote me on it. I'm switching teams and I'm starting with my nails. The switch wasn't hard from black, because black to me has always been a color only meant to appear on nails during Halloween or if you chose to dedicate your life to a gothic lifestyle. Black outfits are chic, black nails are eek.

       A dark shade that nails desire goes by the name of Metro Chic. It's a smokey purple, and although its picture implies that purple reigns, the translation to your nails is something else. 

      It's a color straight out of a smoke stack with barely a hint of purple. The color is unique and draws attentions to short, well manicured nails. It's so much fresher than the black that's been staining our nails for the past three years. Let's face it, it's time to break from the pack and give your digits the coloring they deserve. 


Smokey eyes are out, smokey nails are in. 

Lip Service

      Red lips. Perfectly lined and filled in red lips. Bright red lipstick straight out of the tube. Classic red lips. Boring red lips.

      Every award show, high school dance, night out has a girl-or a hundred girls-  who put on bright red lipstick and decide that they are a classic beauty. Really, they are just being unoriginal. When you are a young, gorgeous woman you shouldn't be putting on your lip products like your grandmother. Also, the red lip has been there, done that, and is over exposed.

      Dying to pretend that you're a Marilyn and want to have that cherry pout? Ditch the lipliner and that dry lipstick made out of fish scales and try something else. At least get some creativity and do the red lip your way. 


      My way involves two products and about 29 seconds.


      The Balm Stainiac:Lip Stain is the perfect lip stain for me. A pinky red has a gel consistency that really does its job and stays put. I apply two or three layers, depending on how sassy I'm feeling, of Stainiac in Beauty Queen letting each coat dry for a second before applying the next. The gel formula really makes it perfect for layering color for that barely pink or the vampy red that suits your mood. 


     After you've got your favorite shade on your lips, add a little shine and moisture with a clear balm with a hint of sparkle. My favorite with or without a stain underneath is Philosophy Mimosa Lip Shine. Lip gloss that actually moisturizes, not strip away moisture. 

        I officially give you permission to wear a red lip anytime, anywhere. Just do it logically. Less for work, more for play. Got it? One more thing, it's doesn't have to be perfect, it just can't be smeared. Courtney Love is never a make-up icon.

Your Face Hurts? Well it's Killing Me.

            Flushed cheeks, sexy rumpled hair, pink lips. Yeah, you just had a great kissing session and you look pretty good. Between your natural flush and those feel good endorphins, you look at yourself in the mirror and give yourself a satisfied smirk. You lean in, what is that rash on your face? You look over to the boy who had been lucky to have you in lip-lock for the past twenty minutes and your see the stubble all over his face. Is it his 5 o'clock shadow? Was he just too lazy to shave today? Either way, you've been burned. You then recall the prickly feeling on your face while you were too distracted to truly notice even though it was a less than comfortable feeling. 

             Before puckering up next time, hit him with this.  The Art of Shaving has a three step system, that when used with just a regular razor can keep your man smooth for up to two whole days. Hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, and no synthetic dyes or fragrances or anything else that aren't so great when absorbed in the skin- your man won't be irritated to use this fantastic set. 
             It exists in scents of sandalwood, lavender, and lemon, but if you're like me and prefer to have your man's natural scent be on display hand him the unscented stuff. The unscented has no added fragrance but the natural scents in the essential oils give off the slightest sexy man scent that only someone in close proximity will be able to detect. 
            Don't offer too much information about how fantastic these products are for his skin or how much smoother his face will be and how his face will rarely dry out, he doesn't care. Just hand him the kit and tell him the more he uses the kit, the less talk and more action he'll get. No guy can say no to that.

Going Dutch

            The moment I heard that clogs had appeared on the runway this season, I cringed with a flashback of 1999 and the clunky Mudd pleather clogs I so proudly wore. Clogs for me are restricted to nightmares of our fashion mistakes past, nurses, and our maternal like shoes with the clunky heel. I could not possible expect there to be anything good coming out of this trend resurrection. 


         After rifling through pages online of clogs that should have stopped after 1970(see Frye's sad attempt-above), I actually found a pair that I would actually be proud to wear.  Vera Wang proved that she can do so much more than create fairy tale wedding dresses but actually doing the clog some justice. I never thought clogs could be sexy, but here it is. hiding a 1" platform to take some weight off the 4" heel, these black leather babies are hot. They even come in a beautiful chocolate leather for the earthier styles out there, but the black ones hold a special place in my heart. 
             I envision these being the perfect anchor to super long, dark, skinny jeans almost giving the illusion of a biker boot, done in a daintier way. They've been selling out fast ever since the Vera Wang show so get them before they're gone. While you're at it, don't forget to get a pair in a size 8 for yours truly. I'll be waiting for them. 

Your Turn to Ask

Any subject that you're dying for me to cover?


Are your fashion and beauty questions going unanswered?


Are you just dying to get my opinion on more stuff?


Ask away, kiddies. Don't worry, it's anonymous.


Ask Me Now

CopyKat: I want to be Genevieve

Photo: Sarah Blythe

You know when there's that girl that you see and you're automatically drawn to her? You develop an insane girl crush on her, wanting to be just like her because she is so effortlessly fantastic. Genevieve Schatz is on of those girls you just want to be. The lead singer of Company of Thieves, seeing her live is an immense treat. The energy she projects makes you want to be this girl. Her outfits are so simple yet so  desirable that you want to be able to look like you just threw something on like that and look as cool as Genevieve.  Maybe you can look like her- steal her outfit from her, but you'll probably never be as cool as her.

Start with a simple black leotard. 

Then throw on your skinny black jeans. 

Toss on a bold black and white striped drape cardigan.

Big Stripes. Mixed Stripes. Little Stripes.

Now go ahead, put on your cat-eye half framed glasses and lace up those awesomely distressed combat boots.

Try to be her, you never can be but you might look just as fantastic being yourself and just dressing like her. Good luck & happy shopping.

Zip It

Left to Right-
Teal and ruffles and a zipper. Oh my.
Simple LBD from the front. Sexy gold zippers in the back.
One part modern ice skater. Two sexy parts zipped together.
Soft pink and grey- a heavenly combination.


So I might be a day late, but I have a newfound fascination of zipper accents. They've been around for a 
few months, but I'm just now noticing what they add to otherwise plain pieces. There's something so sensual and desirable about an innocent looking piece with a zipper giving the piece the ability to slip away completely with one swift unzip. Pieces that can reveal as much or as little as you feel necessary can be perfect for the conservative good girl who wants to add a smidge of sass to an outfit or for the naughty girl who can keep it zipped up for family dinner and then unzip it as low as you like for your night out.


I want more....

With lace and ruffles, this top is anything but sickeningly sweet.





The skinny jean has been there and done that, but there's something a little intriguing about long, lean legs with zippered leg openings.





A pretty little flat? Look closer for the zipper trim on the pretty little bows for a little edgy pretty.

Hot pink cuff roughed up with some silver brackets and a zipper for interest.






Zip up that slouchy, soft-leathered bootie and get ready to kick some ass for fashion's sake.

Getting Nerdy

             For years I have been searching for designer cell phone cases, but my search has been mocked by tacky mall kiosks selling cheap plastic cases sloppily painted with a "Burberry" check. Although I am still searching for my fabulous cell phone case, I have found something to bide my longing until then. 

        I thought my computer was destined for a life of being toted around in a garish pink neoprene case, until I found out there was another way. 
       Juicy Couture once again figured out exactly what I needed before I even knew that I needed it. An adorable coated canvas case with polka dots(your choice navy or hot pink) and decorated with clovers, hearts and of course Juicy's signature crown. Plus the case is padded to keep your computer safe while still looking absolutely fabulous. 

        If this is the high a nerd feels when it comes to protecting their electronics, then I could definitely get a little nerdy if Juicy keeps this up.

A Piece of Fashion Died Today

We have lost one of the greats. He brought unto us fashion like no other. He made things his way whether controversial or not. He took classics shapes and challenged them with fantastic patterns.  His name is synonymous with great fashion. We see his pieces on the red carpet time and time again, taking our breaths away with each new piece. Starlets have pleaded to be able to answer his name when asked who they were wearing. He was a genius. He was an artist. He was fashion.


He's responsible for Sarah Jessica Parker's iconic tartan dress she wore to the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in May of 2006

He was the mastermind behind Camilla Bell's kaleidoscope patterned dress that left our eyes craving more at her premiere of Push.












He birthed Drew Barrymore's fantastic yellow dress she wore to her directing debut's premiere.







He left us wanting so much more after we saw what he had in store for Spring 2010, but this is what we'll have to remember him by.



















He entered the fashion world and took it by storm in his own unique way. Now he has left us in his own way as well. 

We will miss you, Alexander McQueen. Fashion will never be the same.

V Day or D Day?

As many of you have realized, Valentine's Day is just four days away. As most of the ladies are getting excited, you men are freaking out because you were just reminded that this doom day holiday is just around the corner and you have yet to buy that lady in your life anything. We all know that women will put a lot of weight on the gifts you give them, so why not do it right and save yourself the night on the couch by giving her what she wants?


Traditionalists...

They've been around for a little bit, but I am still enamored by the Tiffany's keys. Although diamonds are ideal, no girl with say no to these beautiful charms in silver. Don't forget to write something in the card about how she holds the key to your heart, because even if it's too cheesy for her tastes, she'll forgive you. After all, it is Tiffany's.







Stuffed animals can be an epic success or an epic fail. Epic fail is picking one up from the drugstore fifteen minutes before your date and forgetting to tear off the tag. Epic success is making one from a store like Build-A-Bear of her favorite animal and then spraying it with your cologne before giving it to her. You're hitting her with so many sentiments she won't know where to start kissing her. Point out how you made it specially for her because you know she loves pandas and then point where you want the kisses to start.


Be a Little Creative...


So they may not be traditionally romantic, but these gifts are sweeter than most sentiments because they'll show your girl how you've actually been paying attention when she's been talking. 

So funky-fresh kicks may not scream Valentine's Day, but if they scream your girlfriend's personality then go for them. As far as I'm concerned, nothing says I love you like a pair of shoes that scream, "Girl, you have got great style and I want to help your shoe collection grow."






You know that show that's gone off the air that she's been watching and re-watching on Hulu? Why not buy her that show on DVD for you two to cuddle up together and watch together? You can always make your own commercial breaks with that handy pause button and it will give you two something more to talk about than about her new conditioner.







Dealing with a long distance relationship? Tell her how much you appreciate the traveling back and forth and reward her with a fabulous new weekender bag so she can at least schlep in style. 




After that, you're on your own. Don't forget that flowers are always welcome and that a candlelit picnic in your living room is a lot more romantic than a crowded restaurant.  Be creative, thoughtful, and romantic and you will be rewarded. You're welcome.

Torture Me

            If you so much mention "body chain" to me as an accessory option, I might punch you. I apologize but it's an incontrollable response. When I think body chain I think Christina Aguilera during her "Genie in a Bottle" phase. Luckily, memories had been quickly erased when I came across a body chain that is way too cool to have a name that has such awful associations. 
            On it's own, the Matahari Body Chain looks like a medieval torture vest. Place the chain over a simple neutral colored slip dress and the chain converts the painfully simple dress into an intricate piece of wearable art. The look is kind of reminiscent of an industrial flapper, while leaving images of pop starlets long forgotten. Sorry, Christina. 

Put on Some Lip Balm and Kiss Me, You Fool!

            I have two types of men in my life. The men who are too manly to use any face, lip, or hair products and the men who are too fabulous not to. Especially in the winter, the manly men have a tendency to think the best way to moisturize their dry, cracked lips is to lick them, which we all know is the worst thing for your lips, right?           
           My fabulous man friends are the smart ones who are not ashamed to whip out their lip balms left and right to keep their puckers pretty. Then there's my extra fabulous friend who takes things a step further and whips out his Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 and slathers it on, daring anyone to challenge his balm. 
         My friend is lucky enough to own a set of the balm in a trio of scents: Lemon & Chamomile, Acai Berry, and Natural Mint. No worries though, the scents are subtle enough to not make the men in your life feeling like they just borrowed your Bonne Bell Lip Smackers. 
            The balms come in what looks like a tube of a lip gloss, but luckily transfers to the lips in a much more masculine way. Once applied, the balm is as invisible as any other Chap Stick and you'll instantly feel the shea butter start to moisturize.  This balm has been tested in extreme conditions(not that I think any man using this product is getting himself into extreme conditions) and has the punch of SPF 25 to protect your lips from those harsh rays. This is also one of those balms is not just a temporary fix for dry lips. This is a product that actually does you long term favors by using the natural powers of shea butter to keep your lips kissably soft for a long time to come. That means for those of you who aren't ready for this big of a leap of product usage, you all can apply this in the privacy of your cars and homes and your lips will still reap the benefits without constant reapplying. That means less dry, cracked lips and way more action on your lips.  For a mere $6 you can't afford not to buy the stuff. 
             My favorite part about this balm? Not only does it keep my friend's lips soft for all those cheek kisses he loves to dish out, but I thoroughly enjoy getting to use this product whenever I forget my own balm at home. So, women, buy it for your boyfriends and your gay best friends. Men, buy it for yourself, use it, and share it with the women in your life whether it be through the tube or directly off your lips. 
        

CopyKat: She's Just Bein' Miley

,        How many times have you been stalking your favorite celeb and decided that you HAD to own what she was wearing? I have done this more times than I can count and I have a very high success rate. 
       Just the other day, I was put on a mission to find a skirt that Ms. Cyrus was wearing. You might remember this outfit, because it was a hot, tranny mess. The skirt though, lent itself inspiration for the desire to own a tight gray mini skirt to pair with dark (hole-less) tights and slouchy cardigans. I accepted the challenge of finding a look-a-like and succeeded in under fifteen minutes. 
      Urban Outfitters is where the search began and ended. Urban Outfitters has a great replica that comes in a slew of colors including gray. If you so chose to purchase this piece, do us all a favor. Don't abuse the little, gray skirt by pairing it with pieces not worthy of its versatility and classic shape. Wear it wisely and classily with tucked in button downs or layers of tanks and a thin cardigan. Wear tights when necessary and never pair shoes with it that have you mistaken for a call girl. Most importantly, own your look and rock it.